Joy versus happiness¶
There are two quite different concepts called either “happiness” or “joy”, and it seems that these words get mixed up:
the (temporary) emotion or experience
the (lasting) attitude or self-image.
I tend to call the temporary emotion “joy” and the long-term attitude or self-image “happiness”, but some authors seem to do the opposite. Let me know if my choice seems wrong to you.
joy, joyful |
Freude, froh |
joie, joyeux |
rõõm, rõõmus |
happiness, happy |
Glück, glücklich |
bonheur, heureux |
õnn, õnnelik |
to have fun, be funny |
Spaß haben, lustig sein |
s’amuser, rigoler |
olla lõbus |
content, satisfied |
zufrieden |
content |
rahul |
you are lucky |
du hast Glück |
tu as de la chance |
sul veab |
good luck |
viel Glück |
bonne chance |
õnn kaasa |
congratulations |
Glückwunsch |
félicitations |
palju õnne |
Can we measure happiness?¶
Currently just a collection of links.
What the Longest Study on Human Happiness Found Is the Key to a Good Life The Harvard Study of Adult Development has established a strong correlation between deep relationships and well-being. The question is, how does a person nurture those deep relationships? By Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz. The Atlantic. January 2023.
What Makes Us Happy? Is there a formula—some mix of love, work, and psychological adaptation—for a good life? By Joshua Wolf Shenk. The Atlantic. June 2009.
The World Happiness Report (WHR): https://worldhappiness.report/
March 2019 : Finland is the world’s happiest country – again
January 2023 : Finland tops World Happiness Report for fifth time in a row, highlights trust, wellbeing and freedom – other Nordics in top 8
January 2023 : Frank Martela (cnbc.com,) names three important things Finns do not do: We don’t compare ourselves to our neighbors. We don’t overlook the benefits of nature. We don’t break the community circle of trust.
Quotes¶
Die glücklichsten Menschen sind die, die mit dem wenigsten zufrieden sind.
Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied.
True joy starts within yourself.
The less you care the happier you will be. The less you want, the more you have. – Mahatma Gandhi?
If we don’t have what we would like to have, we must like what we have –from “Wenn mer nit dat hät wat mer jän hätt, muss mer dat jän han, wat mer hätt!” via https://verliebtinkoeln.com
The man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest. – Henry David Thoreau
To stop and embrace joy is like asking you to put your armor down in the middle of a battle. – Dr Mary Catherine (via Dr Alison Cook)
Joy isn’t a personality trait. It’s a nervous system experience. It’s one of the ways your body learns, I’m safe enough to exhale. – Dr Alison Cook, Espisode 196