Joy is often referred to interchangeably with happiness. But it really isn’t the same. There are lots of resources explaining the differences between joy and happiness, the most prevalent being that joy is internal and a choice, and that happiness depends on external circumstances and is an emotion which is pursued.
Recently a friend and I were talking about our families especially those who have passed away. She said her mom thought my friend’s husband was a terrific guy that my friend maybe didn’t appreciate enough. My friend said after her mom passed away, she had come to my friend and told her to “be a joy”.
What an interesting turn of phrase. It has made me think often over the subsequent days what that might mean or look like in the context of joy being internal and a choice. How do we bring joy to someone else? How do we BE a joy?
I’m really not sure. It’s such a delicious thing to think about. How can I transfer something I do to someone else in such a way that it creates or feeds the internal reservoir of their soul?
Galatians 5:22-23 says that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, which differs from a gift of the Spirit. That tells me that it can be cultivated, most likely through connections: with God, with family, with friends, with others.
An even more interesting pondering is how I can be a joy to God.
Be a joy.
Just Sayin' 
When someone says, “you’re a joy to be around” seems it is a reflection of the light within. A soul connection. Much like this beautiful picture depicts. I’m not sure we can express ourselves to everyone as ‘a joy’. It doesn’t hurt to try though.
Be a joy. See what happens.
Thank you for your musings!