Joy!

What is Joy?  

Peter Kreeft a Christian philosopher said, " Joy is more than Happiness, just as happiness is more than pleasure.  Pleasure is in the body.  Happiness is in the mind and feelings. Joy is deep in the heart of the spirit, the center of the self.

I came across this song as I was studying joy and what it means.

I found it on a day when I was feeling rather hopeless.  As I was looking around at the world wondering if my children and my grandchildren will have a chance to find joy and peace in a world that is in chaos and commotion.

As I watched this video and listened to this song a few phrases stood out to me.

"Make peace with yourself-

Let's stick together

Nothing really matters, we have everything that we need

Take a big leap and jump right over 

I think joy can be found by remembering these key phrases.

Do what you need to do to truly find peace with in yourself. Do you need to forgive someone, do you need to apologies to someone, do you need to change a habit, do you need to be kinder to yourself.

Nothing really matters, we have everything we need

This is so true. We do have everything that we need to have joy.  We have a great family and we like each other and we like to be with each other.  We have the knowledge that we are an eternal family. We have beautiful surrounds. We have beautiful mountains and rivers,  beautiful sunrises and sunsets, we have beautiful clouds, and some days we have the bluest skies.  We have our talents that we can share with others, we have a gospel that brings us hope and peace. 

Also the phrase "stick together"  There is joy in relationships.  You can't find true joy when you are focused on yourself. Joy comes from looking through out the day to help others.  I have a better day when I ask the Lord to bless my eyes to be open that I may see those that can use a little help.  

The last phrase that stood out to me is "take a big leap and jump right over". Joy is a choice, it doesn't just happen.  

My life changed when Pres. Monson gave the talk Finding Joy in the Journey. One phrase stood out to me and it has shaped my life:

 "This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

I learned from this one phrase that this my one shot at mortality and I don't know how long my mortality will be. I could be gone tomorrow for all I know.  But when I die I want to be able to look back on my mortal life and say I lived life to the fullest and found joy in each day and in each moment. 

2 Nephi 2:25-Men are, that they might have joy

Choose Joy!

Love mom