When was the last time you felt overwhelming joy?

When was the last time you felt overwhelming joy—the kind of joy children experience while running on a playground or petting a puppy?

Joy has been the subject of extensive research, dating back to the “Father of Positive Psychology,” Martin Seligman. His PERMA model (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) highlights joy as a cornerstone of human flourishing. Contemporary researchers like Sonja Lyubomirsky and Tal Ben-Shahar have further explored how joy can be cultivated and its contribution to general well-being.

Joy is more than fleeting happiness; it’s a profound and enduring sense of fulfillment, cultivated through connection, compassion, and resilience. In The Book of Joy, co-authors the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu examine how joy can be nurtured even amid life’s difficulties. These two spiritual leaders, renowned for their own experiences with adversity, believe joy arises not from external success or material wealth but from an internal wellspring of peace and kindness. “We create most of our suffering, so it should be logical that we also have the ability to create more joy,” the Dalai Lama explains, emphasizing the power of perspective.

Douglas Abrams, who facilitated and contributed to The Book of Joy, observes that joy often involves shifting how we view challenges, transforming them into opportunities for growth and compassion. Organizational psychologist Adam Grant’s research aligns with these insights. Grant has found that people who approach their work with a sense of purpose and gratitude report significantly higher levels of joy. His work underscores how meaningful connections with others and a commitment to making a positive impact fuel this deep sense of contentment. Instead of chasing success solely for personal gain, Grant suggests people thrive when their work benefits others—a critical component of sustainable joy.

Embracing joy doesn’t mean ignoring life’s hardships. In fact, Desmond Tutu emphasizes that the path to joy often involves confronting pain and suffering. “Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say, save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak,” he shares, encouraging us to face challenges with resilience. This attitude of acceptance, paired with kindness and empathy, transforms suffering into a journey of growth and, ultimately, joy.

In essence, joy is an intentional choice—one rooted in gratitude, connection, and a compassionate view of the world. By embracing a mindset focused on empathy, gratitude, and purpose, we can cultivate joy as an enduring and enriching presence in our lives.

Seek joy on purpose—you may find that peace follows closely behind.