I have been reading a book by Deepak Chopra called Overcoming Addictions, the complete mind-body programme for addictive behaviour. A very interesting book I have to say with much to think about.
One of the ideas in this book that has set me thinking is the author's take on the difference between happiness and joy and this is something that I would like to share with you.
Imagine walking down the street absorbed in your anxious thoughts when suddenly you find a £50 note. Lots of ideas would arise as to what you could do with this money, it would seem like a good thing had happened and your feelings would change, most probably those feeling could now be described as happiness. An external event has influenced how you are feeling.
Deepak Chopra explains the difference between happiness and joy in this way; he says that an external event results in an internal feeling of happiness. Where as joy in an inate feeling not dependent on external events, he says it could be described as happiness for no reason!
If we spend time with young children we see that so many things are joyful for them, not because of any external event but because they have the joy inside and this colours how they see the world. Joie de vivre is how we might phrase this and we do all have this inside us. The key is remembering and finding it again.
Deepak explains it all much better and I can throughly recommend his books.
Wishing you joy.
Bye for now
Brenda x
No comments:
Post a Comment