Experiencing joy

When he awakens to the world, does not man feel, in addition to the natural desire to understand and take possession of it, the desire to find within it his fulfillment and happiness? As everyone knows, there are several degrees of this "happiness." Its most noble expression is joy, or "happiness" in the strict sense, when man, on the level of his higher faculties, finds his peace and satisfaction in the possession of a known and loved good. Thus, man experiences joy when he finds himself in harmony with nature, and especially in the encounter, sharing and communion with other people. (Papal Writings, Gaudete in Domino: On Christian Joy, 9 May 1975).

From Joy we came; for Joy we live; and in the sacred divine joy we will one day melt again. (Paramhansa Yogananda).

Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was "Did you bring joy?" The second was "Did you find joy?" (Leo Buscaglia).

Happiness is liberty from everything that makes us unhappy. (Vernon Howard).

What usually helps me is some unexpected moment of joy that just grabs your attention, and then suddenly you're free again. (Monte Marek).

The purpose of our lives is to be happy. (The 14th Dalai Lama).