Being joyful
Why do we pursue happiness and overlook joy?
The greatest source of joy is the world around us. Looking at tangible things which then generate an intangible emotion called joy. Psychologists describe joy as an intense momentary experience of positive emotion.
We are constantly pursuing happiness, which often depends on external circumstances, achievements, relationships etc... whereas joy is unexpected in a moment eg. seeing a hot air balloon, laughing, and watching a sunset.
Studies show that we find joy in similar things, there is no bias for gender or ethnicity, we can all find joy in cherry blossom, ice cream cones, fireworks...etc...
We find joy by appealing to our senses, what we see, hear and feel. Designers describe these as aesthetics and this is true of joy, whether it be colour, shape, texture, patterns etc...
Joy spotting can improve your cognitive flexibility and studies show that it sharpens the mind. Schools that have been painted in bright colours have created more energy and enthusiasm.
Start embracing joy and start today by joy spotting and sharing it with others. Behaviour and emotions are all contagious it is about taking the time of sharing and saying it out loud.
"We pursue happiness and overlook joy" Ingrid Fetell Lee the author of "Joyful".
