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Understanding the Difference Between Joy and Happiness
Have you ever thought about the difference between joy and happiness, or do you consider them the same thing? I hadn’t really reflected on it until I was in my late 30s, battling chronic migraine. Years of failed treatments, terrible side effects from medications, constant pain, nausea, and exhaustion left me feeling hopeless and angry. I was spiraling deeper into depression, struggling to see a way out. During one particularly tough time, we decided to visit my in-laws’ cabin in upstate New York. Despite feeling ill, I was determined to make the best of it for my kids. The night we arrived, I sat on the porch and prayed—really prayed, in a way I never had before. The next day, we took the kids fishing at a nearby lake, and I vividly remember the drive. I was talking to my husband about my exhaustion, my frustration, and my fear of how much longer I could endure. How Chronic Illness Taught Me the Power of Joy When we arrived at the lake, I found myself drawn to a large, flat rock warmed by the sun. As I lay down on the rock, I could feel my back body supported by its warmth, while the sun’s rays touched my skin with gentle heat. I covered my eyes, not knowing that this action was a form of pratyahara, or sensory withdrawal, allowing me to go inward. At that moment, I heard the soothing sound of the water lapping against the shore, the distant chirping of birds, and the joyful laughter of my children. It was in this space of deep presence that I felt something shift inside me. I had entered that car feeling desperate and overwhelmed, but now I felt peace—peace that made no logical sense given my circumstances. As I lay there, feeling the rock beneath me and hearing the sounds of nature, I experienced a moment of profound joy. Not happiness, mind you. I was still dealing with the emotional and physical pain of my illness, but in that moment, I felt connected, held, and grateful. Joy washed over me, even as the weight of my struggles remained. I realized that joy could coexist with the more difficult emotions—something deeper than the fleeting moments of happiness we often chase. Why Joy Can Exist Alongside Pain and Struggle When I removed my hands from my eyes, I looked out and saw my children sitting side by side, fishing poles in hand, laughing against the backdrop of the mountains. That moment was divine. I wasn’t happy in the way society defines happiness, but I felt something even greater: I was joyful, at peace, grateful, and fully present in that moment. The imperfection of my circumstances didn’t diminish the beauty of the experience; it enhanced it. This is the key difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an external experience. It often comes when things go our way, when life grants us our desires—a promotion, a new possession, or a special moment going exactly as planned. We feel happiness when life aligns with our expectations. But what happens when life doesn’t meet those expectations? When things fall apart? That’s where joy comes in. Joy is an internal experience. It’s not dependent on things going “right” or desires being fulfilled. Joy can coexist with pain, struggle, and discomfort because it comes from within. It’s found when we are present, connected, and grateful for the moment, no matter how imperfect. Practical Ways to Find Joy in Everyday Life I still battle chronic migraine to this day, but I carry that lesson with me: Joy runs deeper than happiness. Happiness is fleeting, often tied to external circumstances. Joy, however, comes from presence, from recognizing the interconnectedness of life, from gratitude for the here and now. It comes from living in alignment with our dharma, our soul’s purpose, serving others and from seeing life’s miracles in both the highs and lows. Here’s a practice you can try to tap into joy, even on your toughest days: Remember, joy is always available to us if we allow ourselves to tune in. It doesn’t depend on achieving a goal or fulfilling a desire. It’s about being in alignment with life, even when things aren’t perfect, serving others and connecting with something bigger than ourselves. The Role of Joy in Spiritual Growth There is nothing wrong with happiness—it’s fun, exciting, and wonderful when things go our way. But if we want to experience the fullness of life, we have to go beyond the surface. We must be willing to find joy even in moments that challenge us, to ride the waves of life with grace. Living a life centered in joy doesn’t mean rejecting happiness, but it means recognizing that there’s something deeper available to us—something more lasting, more fulfilling. When we stop chasing happiness and start cultivating joy, we find ourselves more connected to our true selves and the divine. And that, my friends, is where the real magic happens. About The Author Katie Farinas is a yoga teacher, Dharma life coach, and host of the Mom on the Verge podcast. She blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern science to help spiritually-seeking women find meaning, purpose, and joy in their lives. Through her coaching services, podcast, and workshops, Katie helps others reconnect with their true selves, heal from within, and live with greater ease. You can explore her coaching programs, download her free Dharma discovery journal, and sign up for her inspiring newsletter at www.momontheverge.org. Tune in to the Mom on the Verge podcast for deep conversations on personal growth, motherhood, and spirituality. Follow Katie on Instagram at @katiemomandyogi for daily insights, updates, and inspiration.
Beyond the Material: Practicing Asteya in Modern Life
Asteya, or non-stealing, is a concept that’s been emphasized throughout ancient Indian texts such as the Vedas, Yoga Sutras, and the Upanishads. Gandhi even considered it so vital that he made it one of his 11 vows. But here’s the thing—Asteya goes far beyond simply not taking material possessions (we all know that’s a bad idea!). It runs much deeper and shows up in subtle, often unnoticed ways if we aren’t living a mindful, examined life. The Root Cause of Stealing At its core, stealing in any form arises from feelings of lack, of wanting, which leads to suffering. On the surface, someone might steal a loaf of bread because they are hungry—they lack sustenance and want to feel full. But in our everyday lives, how does stealing show up in ways we might not recognize? Many of us feel a lack within ourselves—a hunger that has nothing to do with food. We may feel insecure, not good enough, or less than. When we believe something is missing inside of us, we begin looking outside ourselves for what we think others have: wholeness, completeness, and enoughness. And so, we steal—not just possessions, but peace, attention, or even our own potential. How Does Stealing Show Up? Hoarding Possessions One way Asteya plays out is through materialism. We may not steal by taking what isn’t ours, but we hoard resources that could be shared with others who truly need them. How often do we try to fill that sense of inner emptiness with stuff? From clothes to gadgets, we often accumulate far more than we need or can truly enjoy. Think about it—could you get rid of tons of things in your home without even noticing they’re gone? And better yet, could someone else benefit from what’s collecting dust in your closet or attic? Asteya invites us to be mindful, to lighten our load, and to share what we have so others can thrive, all while lessening our environmental footprint. Ever done a deep closet clean-out and felt great afterward, only to fill the space right back up again? Why do we do that? It’s because our desires are endless, and we keep thinking the next purchase will fill the hole inside. But what if we stopped the cycle? What if clearing space allowed for new experiences, growth, and deeper contentment? Stealing Peace from Others In today’s world of social media, comparisonitis is everywhere. We see what others have, how they look, and what they’ve achieved, and we measure ourselves against them. This creates suffering within us, and sometimes, to ease our own pain, we end up stealing peace from others. Maybe we try to control, manipulate, or one-up them, or we dismiss their experiences because we feel small. Whenever we drag others down to our level of insecurity, we’re stealing their peace because we aren’t at peace with ourselves. But once we recognize this pattern, we can break it. We can choose to celebrate others instead of competing with them. Stealing from Ourselves Perhaps the most subtle form of stealing is when we steal from ourselves. We do this when we don’t allow ourselves to be who we truly are, covering up our authentic selves in pursuit of acceptance, wealth, or respect. We steal our own potential, our vitality, and our joy. We also steal time from ourselves by keeping an endless to-do list, never allowing time to reflect, rest, or process life’s experiences. Without this space, we rob ourselves of the memories, growth, and transformation that come from reflection. Shifting Our Focus Asteya asks us to shift our focus from others to ourselves—not in a selfish way, but in a way that encourages us to stop comparing and start developing our own gifts and talents. By focusing on what lights us up, we can live from a place of abundance and gratitude rather than lack. And when we feel abundant, we naturally share with others. Real satisfaction doesn’t come from accumulating things, diminishing others, or pretending to be someone we’re not. It comes from leaning into our true selves, embracing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth, and living in gratitude for all we already have. Practicing Asteya This Week Here are some ways to practice Asteya in your daily life: Asteya is a big topic, but remember, you don’t have to master it overnight. Awareness is key, and as spiritual beings having a human experience, we’re constantly expanding and contracting. Give yourself grace as you practice Asteya, and notice how it begins to create more space for peace, growth, and joy in your life. About The Author Katie Farinas is a yoga teacher, Dharma life coach, and host of the Mom on the Verge podcast. She blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern science to help spiritually-seeking women find meaning, purpose, and joy in their lives. Through her coaching services, podcast, and workshops, Katie helps others reconnect with their true selves, heal from within, and live with greater ease. You can explore her coaching programs, download her free Dharma discovery journal, and sign up for her inspiring newsletter at www.momontheverge.org. Tune in to the Mom on the Verge podcast for deep conversations on personal growth, motherhood, and spirituality. Follow Katie on Instagram at @katiemomandyogi for daily insights, updates, and inspiration.
YIIT – Think Power Yoga
by Tracy Zuber-Kerr Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck—trapped in the monotony of daily life, unsure of which direction to take or how to spark change? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the noise in our minds, drowning out that quiet yet powerful inner voice that holds the key to our growth and transformation. Sometimes, all we need is a fresh perspective or a new approach to shake off that feeling of stagnation. Enter the idea of a new fitness class: it’s not just about moving your body; it’s about awakening that inner voice and reconnecting with your true self. A class can serve as a portal to rediscovering your energy, strength, and joy—helping you step out of your comfort zone and into a space of possibility. I experienced this myself when a dear friend proposed a transformative idea that resonated deeply within me. In that moment, my inner voice erupted with clarity and passion, proclaiming, “Yes, this is it! Here I am!” This was the entry point to YIIT for me. YIIT is not just a workout; it’s an invitation to connect with your inner strength and unlock a flow that feels grounded, empowering, and fun. By engaging in YIIT, you can experience the revitalizing power of movement and asana as a means to break free from feeling stuck and embrace the potential for positive change. What’s in a YIIT Class? 1. Building Flow with Intention: We’ll begin with a series of movements, paced slowly to let you feel each position fully, grounding you in breath and body awareness. This phase is designed to build strength while introducing fluid, intuitive movement patterns. We don’t rush—you flow in your time, your way, guided by your own rhythm. 2. Energizing Burst: Once we’re grounded, we shift into a cardio interval [think power yoga]—a brief, empowering burst that gets your blood pumping and helps you break through mental barriers. This burst serves as a metaphor for life: sometimes, you need that extra push to break free from stagnation. 3. Recover and Reset: After the cardio peak, we return to gentle flow, moving with love and kindness. This phase is all about resetting, finding your breath, and returning to the center. It’s a chance to breathe deeply and to feel the shift in your energy and mindset. 4. Restorative Finish: And, like all yoga, we conclude with a grounding cool-down and restorative Savasana, giving you space to integrate the work you’ve done and settle into a state of calm, clarity, and gratitude. Why YIIT? YIIT isn’t about how fast or intense you can move in a power yoga class—it’s about moving with intention, finding a flow that brings both joy and strength. By combining slow flow with a short interval burst, YIIT creates a dynamic, accessible class that strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, and grounds the spirit. So, if you’re ready to play, to find your flow, and to give yourself permission to let go of anything weighing you down, come join us for YIIT. All levels are welcome, and no experience is needed—just bring an open mind and a willingness to explore. With love, Tracy YIIT, Yoga Intensity Interval Training, is a yoga fusion class lead by Tracy + Jenna each week on Tuesdays + Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm at BPY. If you are looking for a new power yoga class, then YIIT is the answer to that quest.