I have a traffic jam happening in my head. My thoughts are colliding with each other at break-neck speed. It’s a wonder I don’t have a headache!

I’ve been in such a good place lately. Peace has become my love song. My mantra. And I am loving it. Last week, as I was mulling over some things, I decided that I’m going to commit myself to a “Joy Project”. What does that mean? Simply this: I am going to immerse myself in those things, those relationships that bring me joy; those things that allow me to share my joy. To learn to cultivate joy each and every day. I say joy rather than happiness because happiness to me can be more circumstantial whereas joy represents something deeply rooted, centered, foundational, a constant.

So, I made this decision and then guess what? All kinds of things came up to test my resolve. Paid a grip to have the A/C fixed on Thursday; power went out that night for 14 hours; came back on Friday evening but the A/C is MIA! Got a “gentle reminder” from my homeowners association about a “special assessment” I forgot to pay. Realized my relocation plans might have to wait a little longer. Noticed a downward trend in my checking accounts that requires me to get myself in gear in a mighty way. Made such a bleeping horrendous mistake that put me right smack-dab in a position that I said I didn’t want to be in. *Sigh* See what “sleepwalking” through your life will do? Now I’m scrambling to smooth this out, slow it down, retract it, put some things off…but in the end, I know I’m going to have to suck it up and simply deal with it. Trust me – this definitely makes things truly crunchy ‘round the house. There’s more – some of it big, some of it small. And it all converged on me today like some supersized SAT that I didn’t remember signing up for. I thought to myself, “So much for my ‘Joy Project’.”

I was so close to just falling over the edge today, to just letting myself slide down into the artificial comfort of OVERWHELM. I really wanted to just sit in the middle of the floor and cry. I was out earlier today trying to distract myself when I drove past what looks like a mini-swamp. Right in the middle of this dark, decaying, drab backdrop was a single, beautiful orange flower. Growing tall, beautiful and carefree…regardless of its circumstances. Peace snuck up on me just like that. Hugged me tight. Whispered to my soul. Reminded my spirit of what was meant for me. Coaxed me to BREATHE. To surrender. To trust. To call joy forth. And so, I did. And I do.

Now, I’m not sure what this “project” is going to look like, what shape it will take other than me trying to grow joy and multiply it, transfuse it into my life and the lives of those I come into contact with. At some point, I’ll give myself a set of rules of engagement so to speak, some kind of framework in which to operate. I’m excited. And that’s always a good thing. I think this is a perfect extension of what this blog was meant to be. A revolution of sorts or as I like to say a “reveal-ation”. We’ll see how it goes. In the meantime, here are some wise words from Iyanla Vanzant on joy and how it differs from happiness. THIS is what I was trying to say.

Live DELICIOUSLY!
Live GRACEFULLY!
Embrace all the JOY you can stand!

Joy is the result of peeling away the “layers of the onion” and discovering our spiritual self. Author Iyanla Vanzant, in One Day My Soul Just Opened Up provides a great discussion of joy as it relates to our spiritual life.

According to Vanzant, joy and happiness are often thought of as the same thing, but they are very different. Joy is an internal process grounded in spiritual truth. It is about having faith in the wisdom of the Divine, your God, or whatever you perceive as your higher power. Joy is an emotional feeling that occurs in response to spiritual inspiration. Joy is a state of being that stays with you no matter where you are and what is going on.

Happiness, on the other hand, is a more temporary feeling. It is a mental and emotional response to some immediate external stimulation. Happiness, which is usually based on something physical and tangible, can come and go from moment to moment.

“The benefit of cultivating joy,” according to the author, “is that no matter where you are it stays with you. It is not reliant upon any outside factors. Does it mean you will be smiling all the time? No. Does it mean you will feel good all the time? No. Does it mean you will never again experience a moment of fear, doubt, shame, or loneliness?” Absolutely not. “It means that when you’re challenged by these emotions, you will have the spiritual strength created by joy that nothing and no one can take from you.”

• Joy is a state of being.

• Joy is spiritually inspired.

• Joy begins within.

• Joy is not dependent on people or circumstances.

• Joy has a lasting effect.