My problem with things and people that make me happy is how dependent  I am on their existence in my life. There is a direct correlation between the sources of my  happiness and my overall state of happiness. Happiness, at least for me, tends to be transient and ephemeral.

My kitchen with its golden yellow walls adds to my happiness...especially in the early morning hours. I love how  the warm sun rays seep through the bay windows lighting up the room as well as every object within its reach. Along with the sunshine flooded kitchen, I  appreciate the view my eyes feast upon looking out those three tall windows. You would assume I owned a lake front home if you knew the contentment and peace my backyard pond with its sparkling gems brings me. Even though the interior of my kitchen remains the same from day to day, and the pond is always outside those windows, why don't I feel as happy when the pond doesn't sparkle and the day is colored gray? Take the sunshine away and my shallow happiness leaves even though the landscape remains.
 
It seems like my happiness was at its peak when my children were young and small. Basking in their innocence, smiles, and sweet ways just about always uplifted my heart and soul. Their undeveloped and immature displays of love seemed to fill my own need for love and affection. Holding them, rocking them, and singing to them temporarily squelched the insecurities I felt within as did their greetings of ear to ear smiles with squeals of laughter and unsuppressed giggles. How could I not smile and be happy with the love of my young children around me? As they grew older, especially entering the teen years, those squeals of laughter and giggles turned into bouts of  cold shoulders, inaudible grunts for responses, and outlashings of tempers and emotions that did nothing for my happiness. Of course they weren't that negative ALL  the time, but enough times that it lead me to fear and dread the teen years. Not to mention the increase concerns and worries that tend to climax during those years. Give me a screaming toddler over a hormonal imbalanced teenager any day! At least I can comfort the two year old.
 
Even the activites that  add to my bank account of happiness such as writing, painting, reading, photographing, crocheting, learning, and running can be taken away without warning,  withdrawing from my wealth of happiness. If I lose my most prized sense of seeing, the crocheting, photography, and painting would cease along with the mesmerizing gaze of landscape creations from the Creator. Learning, writing, running, and reading would continue but with a clog and cumbrance that no one desires. Happiness would definitely take on a different shape and shade if it decided to exist with the unwelcomed setbacks.
 
When I was a little girl, I wished I was shorter, smaller boned, and possessed thin lips like my daintier friends. As I grew up I began to appreciate my five foot seven height and full lips because all models are tall and women were practically lusting over fuller luscious lips....even paying money to obtain them. Not that I ever could be a model, but knowing that I was in good company and got noticed perhaps more so than my delicate doll like peers made me feel good.  Full lips have been in style for years and will continue to flourish as makeup corporations push their lip sticks and plumping products. Of course I have a greater appreciation and delight for my inherited natually plump kissers, but I've been told that as you age your body gains weight, but your lips become thinner. Go figure! Will my happiness lessen also?
 
As you can see, most of the above adds to my happiness, even if it is fleeting and fickled.  I've discovered with age that the things of this earth are only capable of bringing temporal  happiness.  There is nothing wrong with these earthly delights. We all want to be happy, but with things and loved ones our happiness is dependent on that which makes us happy. Once again, there is nothing wrong with this, but this dance with the  people and things in my life can be altered, taken away from me,  and will certainly disappear with time. The steps to the dance changes with each person and object I partner up with. If I base my happiness on these alone, including my loved ones, my happiness will waver and wobble. If I can't "do" something that I enjoy for whatever reason, I will become unhappy. If one of my loved ones leaves this earth before I do, I will be sullen and depressed. If they simply get mad at me, my happiness will wane as does a  dance when the music changes.
 
Joy, on the other hand, is lasting since it's foundation is more spiritual. The root of joy goes deeper and is timeless. Joy doesn't come and go with the direction of the wind or the state of my possessions, my activities, or my loved ones. In spite of the challenges in my life, I consider myself happy and joyful. Even though the happiness comes and goes throughout the month in minutes at a time....sometimes in a block of a few hours, the joy that resides within me continues whether I can "feel" it or not.
 
It's weird about joy because I can't adequately explain or even define it. Even the dictionary  relates it to happiness as though it's the same word.  All I know is that joy is not dependent on my moods, feelings, activities, or people. It exists independently of my surroundings whereas happiness is completely dependent on those things. I honestly believe that joy comes from the peace, serenity, strength, and hope that grows from prayer....which means, ultimately, from God. Of course joy can  fade and flicker or whiffle and waver just as happiness does. It's part of the nature of being human, but since God is immutable and flawless, the joy we find within Him will be more permanent and polished. The only thing that will change with God, is our relationship with Him. If our joy dwindles and diminishes, it's simply because we've lost sight of Him or our prayers have decreased.
 

 Attending Mass, saying the rosary, prayers in general, receiving the Sacraments and making sacrifices brings me the joy I am referring to. Along with these activities, following my conscience, exercising control over myself, and truly loving others adds to this experience of joy. 

The difference between happiness and joy is their source. Happiness is related to earthly pleasures including mankind, whereas joy,  is derived from my relationship with God. At least in my life, it appears that I am most happy...most joyful when my relationship with my Creator is pursued, cultivated, and cherished.