Joy Theory

JOY THEORY

WHAT IF JOY was to be both the inspiration and objective of every decision we made? Would we make different decisions? Would we change where we worked? Would we change our friends? Would we change how we spent our time?

Ask yourself. Why are we alive? What is life all about? What do we desire? Is it not joy? Is that not why we are here?

It's something I've been thinking about over the past several months. Why do we often not consider joy in every decision we make? And if joy is not the object of every decision we make, why do wonder why we end up unhappy, bitter, or depressed?

In light of these musings I have recently been testing a theory: The Joy Theory.

The Joy Theory

We were created out of love and were intended to experience and share unending joy. Nothing has changed. Life is meant to be joyful. Our spirits are meant to rejoice and seek good things. When we are pondering doing something, we should ask ourselves if joy is involved. If it isn't, we should ask ourselves why we intend to do it. Choose the things that lead to joy and really seek them out.

So this is what I have been doing. I have been trying to reconcile my plans and actions to joy. If I can see no joy coming about as a result of an action, I don't do it. If something will bring joy, I do it. 


I apply the theory to all aspects of daily life (when I remember); getting out of bed, what to have for breakfast, who to hang out with, whether to help someone in need or not, to sit and watch television or not, to go out for lunch or not, if I should go for a run. 
It sounds stupid, like all of those decisions are not very important ones, but I've found that they actually make a big difference at the end of the day. It also scares me to think about all of the things that I do without knowing why, things I don't really want to do.


It makes a big difference when you help someone out of a joyful heart or help someone out of joyless obligation.
As does going for a run.
Or having a cup of coffee in a cafe.


The above things do not really seem to be a problem if done joylessly, but what if our lives are a culmination of moments and decisions like these? If we choose badly, we deprive ourselves of joy. We forget why we are living. We forget why we were made. We lose perspective.


This is bad.


In my experimentation I have found that the Joy Theory is not just an applied rule but it is also an outlook. In seeking joy we are not just seeking momentary pleasures but long lasting pleasures. Joy comes from things that are immediate and things that are to come. Good and bad things have a habit of self perpetuating. We are the sum of our decisions. We choose the path in which we walk. We make the bed in which we lie. Where do we end up if our decisions are devoid of joy?


(Note that pleasure is not necessarily the same as joy).


Consider going to the pub when you are in a bad mood compared to going to the pub when you are in a good mood.
Consider buying a sweater when you have had a bad week compared to buying one when you have had an amazingly good one.


Chances are, going to the pub in a bad mood isn't going to end joyously. Chances are, in a few weeks, or months, whenever you look at the sweater you bought you will be reminded of the mood you were in when you bought it. Will you be reminded of that terrible week or that amazingly good one?


How about relationships?


Does application of the Joy Theory change the company you keep? The girl you pursue?


How about your job?


Or when considering consumption of that extra row of chocolate?


The Joy Theory. It's an interesting experiment. Why not test it and see where it takes you. 
I've been testing it and I'm a believer.


This blog is dedicated to my very good friend and fellow peregrino Matt Chernishov, who has made some very good decisions in the name of joy.


joy
–noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused bysomething exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4. a state of happiness or felicity.
–verb
5. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.

You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. 

Psalm 16: 11

Regarding Statements of Intent & Disclaimers

It's the New Year, again. Out with the pen and all the resolutions. We will better ourselves this year: shed pounds, get smarter, be braver, become more financially viable, learn Salsa, speak Japanese, experiment with fruit and cheese combinations. My resolve has been half-assed in previous years. I've made statements of intent, nodded, and soon ignored them. Self betterment has always been eclipsed by more meaningful tasks: vacant stares, television, pondering life on other planets, scrutinizing existence of parallel universes, living vicariously through facebook, not getting out of bed... the list goes on. The truth is, I must hate myself. I mean I must really hate myself. I could be so much more in so many different ways but I am not. I stop myself from doing so. My intentions are the antithesis of my being. I am wasted time, wasted space, when I could be brilliant. Or could I?

Lately I've been thinking what everyone else has thought at some stage in their life. What if everyone pursued their dreams?

There are doctors that want to be writers, writers that want to be comedians, comedians that want to be golfers, golfers that want to be farmers, farmers that want to be dancers, dancers that want to be famous, famous people that want to live in outer space in communion with Xenu.

I wonder how many people are actually pursuing their dreams. How many people are happy with their lot in life? And who actually said that our life should be confined to a 'lot'.

What would happen if we did things that we were passionate about and really pursued them? What would happen if a farmer quit milking cows and started attending a dance academy. What if he took a financial gamble, suffered peer scrutiny, faced all the nay sayers, friendly concerns and domestic disapproval, and took all the challenges head-on. What if he succeeded? What if he failed?

I don't know such answers.

Perhaps the bigger question I am asking is;

What if someone follows their dream and fails?

Would they be bitter? Would they wish they did things normally, safely, securely, relatively dispassionately until the day they died? Would they have regrets? Would they consider their lives a tragedy?

This blog is about following your dreams. It is about facing your fears, your doubt, your critics. It's about being a better person. It's about creating a better society. Belonging to a better world. 

It's also an experiment.

What if we could do more than just dream?

I am. You are. We could be.

So why don't we?

This years resolution: Do more than just dream.