Q&R with Brad: What is joy?

Question Could you please describe or define the concept of joy as you've understood, witnessed, or experienced it? Response Happiness At first glance, that's a difficult question. As I thought about it, I began by contrasting it to the word "happiness." Bear in mind that there are a host of personal, traditional and dictionary definitions of happiness and joy. But I'll offer my own thoughts here. First, I tend to associate happiness with a fleeting emotional reaction to the fulfillment of external pleasures. When I see a sunset or hear my grandchildren giggle or savor a delicious meal, there's a happy pleasure to it that I believe ...