I was at a camp this weekend with my five year old son, Jaken.  There were lots of opportunities for learning and growth for the both of us.  One of the things that stuck out in my mind was a discussion that was had during an“adult breakout” session.  The leader of the session brought up the topic of joy and how it compares to happiness. 

This is an especially meaningful topic to me.  In ONO I talk about my three part mission in life, to love, to learn, and to live life with JOY.  Keeping joy in my life refocuses me on the playful kid I have inside, which my kids love and my wife sneers at.  Yes…I laugh at farts.

I see Joy as a foundational attitude, or a basic place you come from.  Happiness, on the other hand, is a mood or a feeling that can be fleeting like all the rest.  A new car can make you happy, but it will never bring long lasting joy into your life.  Joy comes from a deeper place associated with your spirituality or core essence.  When you have joy, all things in life, good and bad, are dealt with more effectively.  You also attract abundance in finances, relationships and in all things you do.  Family First Entrepreneurs, as I see it, have a duty to themselves and the ones they love to find joy and keep that fire lit. 

Joy, for me, comes from my relationship with God because he takes care of the things I can’t control.  If I try to be in control of all things, then my joy flitters away and I move into the happy/sad cycle.  I still experience happiness and sadness when I have joy, but if feels different.  Joy acts like salt on a steak, it enhances the flavor of life.  Happiness and sadness, on the other hand, are quickly replaced with self care and resolution. 

Find joy in all that you do.  Life is not about eliminating all negatives—it is about having an arsenal to combat the negatives when they show up.  May you find joy for yourself, your family and in your journey toward ONO.  Short term happiness can be bought--long term joy is priceless.