Jun 22 2023 14 mins
Hello and welcome. Today we're talking about the third face of love -- Appreciative Joy.
Appreciative joy is the quality of love that recognizes the full worth of joy in our and others lives. It is about being happy with other people—delighting in the joy of others and creating joy in ourselves. Appreciative joy blossoms when we recognize our reciprocal and interconnected humanity.
We might think that it is easy to feel happiness for the happiness and good fortune of others and ourselves but sometimes it can be hard, especially when we are pre-occupied with all the troubles in the world. The ups and downs of our friends, family, and ourselves may feel more down than up. We may neglect noticing our own happiness and good fortune and that of others around us when we let the negativity bias of the brain overwhelm the goodness in our and others lives.
We can cultivate appreciative joy through our formal practice and by bringing it into our everyday lives. Asking ourselves how we create joy in ourselves and others and how we can respond to the joy around us is a practice that we can do any where or any time.
Our capacity for joy is immeasurable. It can grow and grow. It has no limit. The more we practice it, the more it grows. Practice is what matters.
This week I invite you to practice appreciate joy. Here’s a phrase that you can repeat whenever you experience someone’s happiness and good fortune. “I delight in your happiness. May it continue.” Say it often and see what a joyous difference it makes.
This week's guided meditation on Appreciative Joy may be found on the podcast’s member page on www.patreon.com/yourmindfullife.
I hope you enjoyed the show. Thank you for listening and I’d also like to thank the people behind the scenes that make it possible.
Gorgias Romero for original music, audio engineering and production;
Bill Rafferty for technical web support;
Allie Allen for logo and podcast cover design; and
Margaret Haas for announcing the show
Be well. Be mindful.
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Follow or subscribe to the podcast, download the episodes and share them with friends and on social media. And, don’t forget to review the podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Become a member via Patreon. Go to the member page at www.patreon.com/yourmindfullife. All members have access to a new guided meditation each week on the member page.
RESOURCES/CREDITS
Pittinsky, Todd L. and Montoya, R. Matthew, “Empathetic Joy in Positive Intergroup Relations,” Journal of Social Issues, Vol 72., No. 3, 2016, pp. 511-523
DISCLAIMER
The content in the podcast and on this webpage is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and guidance of your health professional.
Thank you for listening!
Be well. Be mindful.