We hear it all the time: “Choose JOY.” It’s a well-intended phrase, meant to inspire, but let’s pause and challenge this idea.
Yes, we can choose happiness. But we don’t have to choose JOY—because JOY is already within us.
Happiness is a Choice, But JOY is Innate
Happiness, like love and gratitude, is something we choose in the moment. It comes and goes based on circumstances, experiences, and emotions. We can choose happiness by shifting our mindset, expressing gratitude, or engaging in positive actions. But it fluctuates—it isn’t permanent.
JOY, on the other hand, is different.
JOY is not something we pick up or put down. JOY is always present, always within us, waiting to be accessed. Neuroscience confirms that JOY is hardwired into the brain, specifically in the right insular cortex—the part responsible for emotion, self-awareness, and deep connection. Unlike happiness, which depends on external experiences, JOY is a state of being—one we can tap into at any time.
Happiness is a Choice, But It’s Temporary
Studies in positive psychology (Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar) show that happiness is influenced by:
We can choose happiness, but because it is tied to external experiences, it fluctuates—it comes and goes.
JOY Is Innate and Always Available
Unlike happiness, JOY is never gone—it simply waits for us to access it.
Dr. Allan Schore, a leading neuroscientist in affect regulation, confirms that JOY is stored neurologically in the right insular cortex. This means:
Happiness requires external stimulation (a compliment, a good meal, a fun event). JOY requires nothing—except remembering that it’s there.
Happiness can be pursued, but JOY is cultivated.
The more we train ourselves to tap into JOY—through awareness, breath, mindfulness, and connection—the easier it becomes to experience happiness without relying on outside circumstances.
This is why the Chair of JOY® Experience is so powerful. Sit. Breathe. Think. Feel.™ is a simple, repeatable process that helps us return to JOY, no matter what is happening around us.
Dr. Schore challenges the mainstream idea that JOY is something we must create, find, or chase. Instead, JOY is a built-in capacity within us.
What This Means for Us:
This is why phrases like “find JOY” or “choose JOY” don’t fully reflect the truth. JOY was never lost. Instead, we remember it.
You don’t need to chase JOY. You don’t need to create it. It has been within you all along.
The question is not “How do I find JOY?” but rather “How often do I pause long enough to access the JOY that’s already within me?”
That’s what the Chair of JOY® Experience teaches: A simple way to return to what was never missing.
Are you ready to remember?
JOYELY®️ transforms workplace culture with digital emotional processing tools and data-driven technology, empowering engaged, resilient, and high-performing teams. Dedicated to elevating global well-being, JOYELY®️ makes joy a core life skill through experiences like the Chair of JOY®️, JOY Intelligence™️ Emotions Map, and the Four Stages of Presence. Inspiring individuals and organizations to access clarity, resilience, and purpose, JOYELY®️ is available for conferences, keynotes, event showcases, interactive programs, and fundraising—creating an undeniable conversation for all.
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