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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Happiness versus JOY
Post Info TOPIC: Happiness versus JOY
lilms


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Happiness versus JOY
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Today I was asked to share in a forum on joy versus happiness.  This is my take.


Every day at least once, maybe 3 or 4 times my other half asks me if I am happy. Often I need to answer no. Sometimes that is not possible given the situation that we are living with.
Joy on the other hand, almost always. Joy is not dependant on circumstances or other people. Joy depends on me and my outlook. It is living up to my values and being proud of who I am.
Joy is there every morning when I waken to the birds singing. Every year when the first seed pops out of the ground.
Joy is in every babies face, every sunset and sunrise.
Even at the many funerals I have been to in the last while I have along with overwhelming grief been able to find joy. Joy in remembering the person's life and looking at the legacies they have left.
This disease is a very hard row to hoe. Circumstances often color happiness but joy comes from deep within me.
Thanks for listening and please take what you like and leave the rest.
Annie



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Two things:
1. Recovery is a process, not an event.....and....
2. You only get to go around once. Leave em laughing and make it worth your while
jrtjosey


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We only have to look or remember to find joy and happiness!!!


Thanks,


Josey



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Julianne - It's best to move on. You cannot look back in anger in life. It's too short
Lunamoth


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Interesting take on it.  For me, I am happy and because of that I have joy.  I have often said that even though things aren't the way I'd like them to be, I am still happy.  Because it isn't the situation/person that makes me happy/unhappy.  Happiness is an inside job and it is up to me.  What I reap from being happy is being able to recognize the feelings of joy in the smallest of things. 


 



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tea2


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((((lilms))))


The way you explined this reminded me of one of our slogans. Just For Today
a part of it reads:
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." (I love that one)
I hear optimism vs pessimism in your words.
For me, I find writing or journaling to be very cathartic


Wonderful post, thank you for sharing
wishes, t
Oh, another slogan that comes to mind is: Let It Begin With Me



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serenity is a gift
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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Happiness versus JOY