Pleasure, Happiness and Joy

are not synonyms.

They are distinct, although they can overlap.

Pleasure, sustained over time without serious disappointment, can lead to Happiness, so long as Pleasure is not of a destructive type (such as addiction or promiscuity). Happiness, similarly sustained, can be satisfying, and can dull the longing for Joy, pushing it into the background. Joy, in turn, brings both Pleasure and Happiness, yet also leaves an ache at its passing (which it inevitably does, in this life).

Joy is not of this world. It sneaks up on us, surprises us. Joy arrives unexpectedly, caresses us until we tingle... and suddenly leaves, while we stand quivering in wonder over what brought that about and how to find it again?

But we can't. Joy... finds us. :)

C.S. Lewis, in Surprised By Joy, describes the intermittent and unpredictable experiences of Joy in his life as arrows shot at him by the Absolute. They serve as evidence of the existence of the Absolute, proofs of a world beyond our own experience. When they hit, it is with a sharp, bittersweet stab of pleasure: bringing both the complete satisfaction of a hitherto unknown desire... and an immediate, new, UNsatisfied longing for more of the same.

Even Stephen Colbert has a sign on his desk (per his recent Rolling Stone interview) that says: "Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God."

If we could manufacture Joy out of pleasure and happiness, we would. But it is not of this world. It is im-material.

Pleasure we CAN manufacture, repeatedly (though at a cost). Happiness is more slippery, but with wise choices (and good luck), also attainable and sustainable. Joy, however, is as elusive as a wood-nymph, but as delightful as a sudden stirring of the air on a hot, still day. And, like the spirit/breath of God, it goes where it pleases. We can see its effects, but not know where it's headed or where it came from. We cannot harness it and make it do our bidding. (John 3:8)

So Joy behaves much like the breath of God.

Well, then, maybe... hm.