Compass Points – Meeting God Every Day At Every Turn is Margaret Silf’s latest book and, if this blog required a textbook [don't worry, it doesn't!] this would be the chosen text. In pithy anecdotes and musings, Margaret shows us that God’s traces are all around us.
Regular readers know how much I admire Margaret and her Ignatian take on the world, so be prepared for several extracts as we go along. Today I want to share Compass Point #216:
We all hope for happiness. Many would say it is their birthright, to be happy.
Happiness sometimes lies on the roadside of our lives, easily gathered in parcels of pleasure.
But joy is a rarer treasure and often lies only on the other side of sorrow, just as the sweetest fruits often grow on the other side of the thorn hedge.
Maybe happiness can even be a barrier in our search for deeper joy – a seductive cul-de-sac that can tempt us to settle for less, when God longs to give us more.
Happiness or Joy. Which do you want?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I want joy, deep down overflowing joy….a well-spring that is pumped by faithful living the paschal mystery day in and day out.
I bought Compass Points at Congress. It is sitting next to me as I prepare for the catechists tonight–and Companions in a few weeks.
Paul
Wow! I love this. It is something I’ve thought about but never been able to name.
It makes me think about how as a society we are so into keeping our kids and everyone else for that matter but are we robbing them of both the skills to get thru hardship and the joy and peace that can be found on the other side of suffering things of great value?
I’d rather give my child the gift of deep sustaining joy than fleeting happyness found in a Wii.
Thank you for sharing this one!
Peace
Maura
Michele,
I, too, want joy… but the cost — “by faithful living the paschal mystery” — be very high. I admire your courage in wanting the difficult, but better, choice.
Paul
Maura,
I understand what you mean about the “fleeting happiness found in a Wii” but I’m not sure we can give joy to anyone else. Joy, it seems to me, has to come from deep down in a person and — if this makes sense — is as much a choice as it is an emotion.
Paul
I would much rather work toward joy for myself and my family. Happiness is fleeting, I think, and largely circumstantial. Joy, however, comes from seeing a bigger picture, being tuned in to your surroundings and your connections to God and the people on the road with you.
Someone, in the middle of a divorce, recently said to me, “Being happy is all that matters” and I thought- well, not really, there is so much more.
Joy comes through hard work and exacts a price. Happiness is a momentary comfort and what makes me happy today, may not do it for me tomorrow. Joy is eternal.
I try to teach with joy, so that my students will be joyous learners and stick with the tough stuff and work through it…
dearest paul,
I am always seeking for deep, overwhelming joy, one that will last, one that I can spill over onto others so that they can fill their bucket and take it with them.
Happiness is fleeting and “only skin deep.” It can never compare with joy. Joy is a deep fulfillment that changes attitude and chases negativity away. At 60 years of age I find that my journey thus far has been a rewarding one, but perseverance, faith, sorrow for myself and others, giving up of control and openly loving so many in my life unconditionally are the keys to periodic moments of real joy .
I believe that deep joy can only be found when you love yourself and feel a strong connection to God. Once you realize, and believe, that you can’t change people and events to your liking, a seed of joy is planted and begins to grow. I am convinced that the more I love and support others the more my joy will grow.
One of my biggest joys is to pray for others and wait for God’s answer. For years I specifically directed my prayer where I thought it needed to go. Since realizing that I am not in control, duh, things have been amusing to say the least but much more managable.
Paul
Prerhaps “giving” joy is the wrong phrase. I do believe however that we can help prepare children to recognize joy it in their lives.
This morning I was with a group of preschoolers we were talking with them about the story of the good samaritan and then discussing how they have our could help others. We talked about how it feels to help some one else. We talk about having “happy hearts” when we do the right thing but in a sense it really is teaching them to reach for that joy and peace that comes from being in the right place spiritually. We’re teaching them that there is something different about having a happy heart than just enjoying your favorite toy.
In some ways I think our senses are dulled in that persuit of “happiness” so that we have difficulty recognizing the fruits of the spirit including joy.
Paul.
received this quote last night from my partners group:
Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.
(Wilfred Grenfell, English medical missionary,1865 – 1940)
chris
Paul,
Fom the heart, and from the tuth of gods word, and personal experiece,I quote
“Sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in( and I may add) and through the
mourning(morning).”Losses comes to all of us on lifes journey to god.Grieving the losses at whatever age we are at is important for our gowth from sorrow to joy.
Spiritual Joy is a much deeper thing. No weather can dampen it, because it is anchored in the deep trust and faith in the Lord.