Advent Greetings …

The theme for the third week of Advent is Joy.   I wonder if it is only a coincidence that this week, when I was thinking about joy, I should have stumbled upon this poweful quote. 

‘It is not joy that makes us grateful.  It is gratitude that makes us joyful.’, says Catholic Theologian David Rast.

Researcher and author Brene Brown says that in her twelve years of research and over 11,000 pieces of data she has also discovered this to be true.  She says ‘I did not interview a single person who described their life as joyful or joyous who did not actively practice gratitude.’  She comments that these people had a tangible practice of gratitude in their lives.  I wonder what that might say to us?

In thinking about it I recall that I can be happy because of a positive outcome or some circumstance in my life.  But this means that happiness is tied to external circumstances that I cannot control.

Joy on the other hand is something much deeper.  It comes from the heart.  It is something that I can control, no matter what is happening.  It is the joy I can find in, and despite, the reality of my current circumstances.  It is an attitude and a response that each one of us can choose to make each day.  Maybe joy does not have to be so illusive if we can have an attitude of gratitude.

As we travel through this Advent Season and await God coming close to us, I wonder what you have to be grateful for.  May your gratitude allow you to find joy.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).