Hey dhg, my heart is filled with joy, no robbers can steal that. This dosn't mean I don't experience the gamut of emotions, and happiness does slide now and then, but even when I struggle with feeling sad, mad etc, I feel contentment and joy knowing God is a presence in my life. No, they can't rob me of my joy, but I'm willing to share it. Sometimes you gotta walk away, and surround yourself by people that make you happy. :}

That is a very good ?

Thank you, Coogee! I had a moment of serenity just reading your post.

you don't stop people from robbing your joy - you as the individual allow them to take it from you.

It's up to you what you do with your joy - you keep or you rid yourself of it and then blame it on others.

Peace.

So then, Carebear, do you believe people can give you joy?

Not really. I don't think people can GIVE you joy, I think by other's actions you allow yourself to feel joy - just by other's actions you allow it to be taken from you. Joy for many comes in many ways - for some people it's simplisity for others it complexity and for many it's materilism -

When you know peace, love, forgiveness, joy just becomes a part of you - no matter how stressful my days are no matter what bombshells are dropped in my lap, i know that it's my emotional control that determines how the outcome of things will be - if I get angry and stay angry - then I am doing that to myself - It is normal to get sad, mad, angry, but to allow it to consume your life is not right. Forgiveness in all that we do and all that we meet is the necessity to peace for me. Through time I've learned forgiveness is not acceptance, but forgiveness is necessary for peace - with peace comes joy - I get joy when I walk outside and hear the birds, why - because I realize I am alive, i have legs to walk out there, and I can hear - not only am I grateful but i am joyful because of it - People give challenges to my own feelings and emotions - it's how i choose to deal with them or accept, i am human and i do mess up frequently - but it's still all in my control.

Peace!

No one can take what you don't let them have.

You know how, when you go to a wedding, and they have one of those books you have to sign, and you have to answer a question, like "What advice can you give Sherri and STEVE, for a long and happy marriage?"... I always write something about "It's not Steve's job to make Sherri happy. And it's not Sherri's job to make friggin' STEVE happy. You owe it to yourselves to make your own happiness, and then share it with your partner"

Hey, when they ASK for advice, I am all over that sh#t...
(((Hugs))), darkhg, no one can take away the joy you have within you, it's just like CM, Carebear, and CourseyG said, it's within you, and there's an unending supply available to you, 24/7, it's like SuperWa*1m$rt, it never daggone closes! Plus, the act of sharing joy, causes it to double, and then quadruple... It's like the Sorcerer's Apprentice in Fantasia, joy ALL OVER THE PLACE... But you already knew that...

Sorry, I just luuuuve to talk about joy, especially when I'm in the trenches...

Don't give what they say so much importance.

Happiness is intrinsic, it's an internal thing. When you build it into
yourself, no external circumstances can take it away. That kind
of happiness is a twenty-four-hour thing.
--Leo F. Buscaglia

Stay committed to your growth process until you wake up one morning
and ask yourself, What is that strange thing I am feeling? Then know
what the answer is. The answer is joy.
--Melody Beattie

The meeting I went to last night was a bout gratitude. To me, gratitude = joy and peace. Even with everything I am going through right now, I still try to find a way to be grateful and at peace. When I get that empty feeling inside, I want to drink, so it's my responsibilty to not let myself go there.

I know they say that joy is from within and you chose internally - but for me when I surround myself with positive, grounded people and good information, the doorway to peace is wayyyyy more clear. I can get through the door with the presence of crappy people and circumstance, but damn if downer's in my life aren't trying to trip me. I will just jump over there shoes-but it would be best to avoid them all together, ya know?

I agree with KarmicKool. Only you can take action toward your own happiness. If there is one person or situation that is continually "testing your joy, there are some changes YOU must make. You cannot change anyone else, but you can chose to stay around or leave.

At the same rate, if someone or something never brings you joy, there is a problem with that as well. Perhaps a change is necessary here.

You must align yourself with a healthy way of life and seek those people and things that build your spirit. We are not Rocks or Islands. People are VERY social creatures, whether we want to admit it or not.

Wayne-