SuperBetter is reminding me that there is a difference between the two, so let’s take a look at the definitions:
Joy: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight
Happiness: good fortune; prosperity; a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience
Today’s quest was to write about a time when I experienced joy and happiness.
That’s tough, because the words are so similar. For me, joy is an overabundance of happiness…everlasting happiness, that is. Happiness is more temporary than joy is.
I was joyful the day I got got engaged. It was on overwhelming, all-encompassing feeling of happiness that really didn’t go away until months later, after the marriage ceremony had ended. There was something about planning the biggest day of my life that kept me going.
I was happy the day I graduated from college. I think it was mixed with nervousness too about my future. It was a feeling of pride that I had that day.
Talk to me about the times you were happy versus the times you were joyful. Which did you prefer?
Nerdy Thirty-Something 
I like this post and the question you posed….I have the same beliefs that you do about the difference between happiness and joy. I think joy is more lasting and you can feel joyful even when you don’t feel necessarily feel happy.
I’d have to say that I feel joyful right now. My life is just…it’s not perfect and it’s nothing like I thought it would be-at all but I’m really and truly blessed right now. I have been really blessed…so I’m joyful just cause….I’m realizing I can choose to be that way.
I definitely felt happy when I graduated from college too. I was happy and terrified at the same time because I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life and I was leaving every bit of my old life behind. That was scary. But I was happy because I had never experienced graduation before (I was homeschooled from middle school till high school.) and so that moment was awesome. 🙂 It’s definitely the happiest I’ve ever been. 🙂
I really really love Superbetter. It has gotten me to see a lot of things that I wouldn’t have normally thought about. I’m very glad you are joyful and congrats on graduation! 🙂 Thanks for commenting.