Joy has made a triumphant return! After enduring years filled with sadness, anxiety, and isolation, the feeling of joy is once again flourishing. This resurgence is not only uplifting; it's infectious and accessible to everyone.

In recent years, the American spirit has not exactly fostered joy. A pervasive cultural malaise has thrived on negativity and cynicism, leading to what might be called a "Dark Age of Dread." Many have grappled with feelings of sadness and fear, leaving little room for joy. Or perhaps we simply stopped seeking it. Regardless, the joyful atmosphere observed at the Democratic National Convention sparked a wave of positivity among attendees, igniting curiosity about the nature of joy itself.

What is joy? What ignites it? Where has it been hiding? And how can we all experience it? I am delighted to share that understanding joy's essence can make it readily available to anyone, regardless of their political views.

As designer Ingrid Fetell Lee notes in her book Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, “Joy isn’t hard to find at all. In fact, it’s all around us.”

Lee’s perspective is refreshingly straightforward. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that many of us have felt deprived of joy. The pervasive shadow of dread has impacted everyone differently, but joy has often taken a backseat. Joy is vital for mental well-being, productivity, and meaningful contributions to our families, communities, and nations. We need to gather every ounce of joy we can, especially during challenging times.

Dr. Stephanie Collier, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, writes, “When our world is turned upside down, it’s normal to feel a lack of joy.” From health issues to personal losses, the list of stressors is extensive. Most adults will face multiple traumatic experiences throughout their lives, and the loss of joy in these situations is a common human reaction.

When political polarization is added to the list of traumas, it’s no surprise that America has faced a prolonged funk. Joy has struggled to flourish. Yet, at the DNC, joy took center stage, at least for a moment. Oprah Winfrey urged, “Let us choose joy,” a sentiment that resonates across the political spectrum and serves as sound advice for living.

So, why don’t we choose joy daily? The answer is simple: our ability to feel joy is often overshadowed by our inclination to suppress it.

Joy vs. Happiness The ongoing political discord has drained the spirit from our nation, creating a joyless void. Politics often brings out the worst in us, filled with negativity and hostility. Anger and division do not produce joy; they breed spite. Joy and spite cannot coexist.

So, what is joy? Experts often differentiate joy from happiness in profound ways. If you ask five psychologists to define joy, you might receive ten varied answers. Lee articulates a crucial distinction: “Happiness measures how good we feel over time, while joy is about feeling good in the moment.”

This distinction is vital. Happiness is a complex and often elusive concept, difficult to quantify. Research shows that the relentless pursuit of happiness can lead to frustration, as our expectations shift, leaving us dissatisfied. In our quest for happiness, we often overlook the simple joys of everyday life.

Conversely, joy can be actively pursued, nurtured, celebrated, and rediscovered day by day. Lee emphasizes that “joy is much more immediate and accessible than happiness,” and it may even be a powerful pathway to happiness.

Cultivating a Joyful Mindset Kieran Setiya, a philosophy professor at MIT, succinctly captures the human experience: “Life is hard.” However, he asserts that we are more resilient than we realize, and history supports this claim. During dark times, human spirit shines remarkably bright.

Consider World War II, when London faced relentless bombings. Despite expecting a surge in psychological trauma, the resilience of the population was surprising. People often prove to be more resourceful than we assume.

Finding joy often hinges on mindset. If we focus our attention, joy can emerge in unexpected moments: the laughter of a child, the beauty of nature, or witnessing an impressive performance.

However, for some, joy can feel elusive, especially for those battling depression. It's crucial to acknowledge this reality, but experts assert that joy is available to us every day.

Lee highlights that small moments of joy can have a “halo effect,” extending their impact beyond the immediate experience. Over time, these moments accumulate, contributing to greater happiness.

Arthur C. Brooks, who teaches happiness at Harvard, intertwines joy with purpose and enjoyment. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing meaningful goals while embracing the challenges that life presents. “Satisfaction is the joy, the reward, that you get after you struggle for something,” he explains.

Finding purpose is closely linked to joy. A strong sense of purpose doesn't have to involve grand achievements; it can simply mean engaging in activities that matter to you. As I’ve noted previously:

> Each of us defines our own sense of purpose. A high sense of purpose does not necessitate lofty goals; instead, it represents a forward-looking perspective akin to an ongoing mission.

Gabrielle Pfund, a researcher at Northwestern University, suggests that finding joy stems from identifying what truly matters to you and engaging more in those activities.

Joy as a Virtue Joy transcends mere emotion; it is a virtue that must be cultivated. Pamela Ebstyne King and Frederic Defoy describe joy as “a psychological habit, comprised of characteristic adaptations and given meaning by transcendent narrative identity.” In simpler terms: while emotions fluctuate, virtue can be developed.

I view joy as a muscle that we can exercise or neglect. Maintaining our joy allows us to cope with emotional challenges effectively. King asserts that in moments of suffering or conflict, activating our capacity for joy becomes essential. “Joy isn’t merely for our pleasure; it empowers us to contribute and care for others.”

So, how can we cultivate joy? The answers vary. Some strategies are direct, but underlying approaches are crucial too. Instead of seeking joy explicitly, experts recommend focusing on living purposefully, maintaining health, serving others, and resisting negativity.

Start with self-care, Collier suggests: - Stay active. Physical exercise releases neurotransmitters that promote joy. - Embrace new experiences. Novelty triggers joy. - Focus on positivity. Limit exposure to negativity and set boundaries with toxic relationships.

Interestingly, happiness can also be learned. Engaging in journaling, meditation, exercise, helping others, and expressing gratitude fosters happiness indirectly.

Ultimately, joy and happiness are interconnected. Both arise when we appreciate life's little moments and resist the cultural pressures to chase fame, power, or material wealth.

Finding Joy in Simplicity Recently, while walking my dog, I found myself in a lackluster mood. I remembered the concept of walking meditation and decided to practice mindfulness. By simply paying attention, I noticed the gentle breeze, the sunrise, and my mood transformed. A smile emerged, and suddenly, joy filled my heart, altering the course of my day.

This illustrates how mindfulness nurtures a nonjudgmental attitude that opens us to joy. As meditation instructor Sebene Salassie notes, “We can use meditation to cultivate joy, finding well-being in the present.”

However, meditation isn't the only way to discover joy. Lee advocates for embracing shapes, colors, and nature in our surroundings to invite joy into our lives. She encourages asking ourselves: How often do we laugh? What activities bring us joy? Why not prioritize those joyous experiences?

Experts believe that by caring for our physical and emotional well-being and actively seeking joy, we become more aware of life’s blessings. This awareness helps us resist the insidious cultural forces that contribute to sadness and anxiety.

The beauty of joy is its contagious nature. A simple smile can prompt others to smile back, spreading joy effortlessly.

Lee observes, “We are drawn to those who express positivity,” reinforcing the idea that genuine joy attracts more joy.

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