Joy to the World? Is there?!?

According to a recent worldwide survey of 20,327 adults across 28 countries, only 14% of people consider themselves to be "very happy" and only 50% would say they are "rather happy". (see attached)

The facts have a way of cutting through the crap and showing the truth...life is far from "rainbows and butterflies". It is full of challenges, and everyone has their sh**t (some just have bigger piles than others) and there are those out there that think they have huge cow patties when in reality are just dealing with some bunny pellets. Ok...I don't know how I ended up down this "turd tangent"!

Back to the point and my question...Let's face it, the reality is that life makes it real hard to happy. So clearly feeling that more powerful emotion of Joy is even more challenging, right? Apparently not...studies show that happiness comes and goes because it's tied to our external environment and experiences. But Joy is deeper and is connected to our internal core.

Which leads me to the question I would love to learn more about...What brings that true Joy? For me, it comes in moments. When something subtly comes to my attention that makes me recognize gratitude and feel peace. That may be weak, but that's what I got for now. Continuing to look and learn!

Something we really can't talk about on this forum, but my Christian religious belief is what is inside me that gives me lasting joy even when difficult & even sometimes heart breaking things are happening in my life. That is where my true joy comes from

To me happiness/joy is a fleeting feeling/temporary emotion that yeah I do experience sometimes to a painful extent, but the thing I’m chasing is contentment just being okay with where I’m at whether I’m happy, anxious, sad, frustrated, etc.

I agree with eskielover. My Christianity is what gives me hope and joy.

Well said @eskielover... right there with you. My beliefs have taught me the valuable lesson that its is one of the powerful gifts to our soul, even when we encounter the times of trials and tribulation.

Thank you for sharing @Travelinglady.

Love that perspective on "contentment" @MuddyBoots. It inspired me to research and appreciate how important it is. That it's essentially a deep, steady state of inner peace that brings satisfaction with your inner circumstances independent of external events. It brought a cool article to my attention that I wouldn't have seen if not for your inspiration, so thanks "What If You Pursued Contentment Rather Than Happiness?"

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Just an aside on the concept of contentment....I sure didn't & couldn't feel contentment when I lost my soulmste doggie Leo....7 years later, my heart still misses him. HOWEVER even while my heart was breaking initially & still misses him, I felt a peace that was actually beyond my understanding & then I grasped that concept "peace beyond all understanding" That feeling of peace vs contentment are also 2 different things. I think "Radical Acceptance" & contentment are similar. I can Radically Accept something or be content with a situation until I can figure out a different approach to dealing with it....but that doesn't mean I feel a peace about it. A feeling of peace for me is what I realize comes with Joy & may not necessarily have anything at all with the situation I am dealing with