The December 2024 Spirit Cafe discussion focused on Joy, and remarkably we spent the entire hour on that one topic — normally, we start with one topic and then meander wherever spirit seems to take us. But Joy is such a rich topic, one that everyone wants to experience, we just couldn’t leave it! After all, who couldn’t use more joy in their life?!
We discussed that while happiness and joy are related, there is a difference. After hearing the wisdom of so many, I arrived at the conclusion that happiness is the temporary, outward expression of the more permanent, inward experience of Joy. Got it.
Then, we talked about how feeling gratitude is a gateway to joy. So, that got me thinking … how are happiness and gratitude related to joy and love? Of course, being a nerd at heart, I was reminded of Star Wars Master Yoda’s assertion about Love’s opposite, Fear:
Fear leads to hate.
Hate leads to anger.
Anger leads to suffering.
So, perhaps there is an analogous progression for joy … and this is what I came up with:
Happiness leads to gratitude.
Gratitude leads to love.
Love leads to joy.
I’m happy with that! … and I’m so grateful to be part of the Spirit Cafe discussions among such loving souls. Won’t you consider joining us for the next Spirit Cafe on Saturday, 11 January 2025, for more joyous opportunities of learning, community, and fun?!
[2nd Saturday of every month, 11:00 Eastern]
A Lighthouse for the Soul 