The Difference Between Being Happy And Joyful

Article in brief: delight, joy, gladness and cheerfulness are different words to describe one emotion: being Happy, however, are there different levels of happiness? And can they be defined be a word?

There are many ways to describe happiness. Sometimes people laugh excessively, some use words, and others cry. Happiness has different levels; one can be happy about cooking a wonderful meal however, feeling ‘Joyful’ has a different meaning all together.

Although ‘Joy’ is more difficult to achieve than ‘Happiness’, it is the preferred emotion as it gives a high boost of positivity and helps get through difficult times.

The below table shows the difference between the two and helps define the ‘Happy’ moments from the ‘Joyful’ ones:

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Note from the writer: Use the above parameters to list items that make you ‘Happy’ in one column and things that make you feel ‘Joyful’ in the other. Although the latter will be a shorter list, it will be the one that holds the most value.

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Dictionary:

• Happy: delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.
• Joyful: a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated

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References:

• “Happiness vs Joy.” – Difference and Comparison. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.diffen.com/difference/Happiness_vs_Joy>.
• “happy.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happy>.
• “joy.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joy>.