What is the difference between happy and Joy? I did not have a clue until I read Joyspan. Dr. Kerry Burnight explains the difference in her book Joyspan. According to Dr. Burnight. Joyspan is the psychological well-being and satisfaction in your entire life. It is not just one moment, it is a lot of moments that let you live better. 

She explains and she gives examples and even tidbits that help you achieve joy in your life. Joy is an action, not just something that happens to you. I now know happiness is a fleeting moment, while joy is deeper into your soul. It is how you view yourself and the relationships you have. It is how you treat yourself and lovingly take care of yourself. It is also how you view the world.

There is one part of the book where Dr. Burnight talks about the decline mindset and how it affects the brain in the Nucleus Accumbens. This part of the brain is where you experience joy and it releases the dopamine and serotonin into your body.  Attitude and actions matter more than anything else. Our habits metter, the way we treat ourselves and others matter. Our genes do not matter as much as we think they do. Our habits matter more. I have paused for self-reflection after reading this. 

I live with a rare chronic illness. It has taken one of  my lungs, and my trachea so I have to live with a tracheotomy. From the beginning I have focused on my attitude and making good choices for myself. Lately, I have not been doing that and I have noticed the difference. 

It is time to stop and get back to forming a good attitude and good habits for my body and soul. What about you? 

This is a great book to read.  It comes out in August 2025. It has great tests to take and help you to pause for your own reflection. I highly recommend it. 

If you are interest: 

Joyspan

Dr. Kerry Burnight

Hatchette 

I was given this book by Hachette Book Group. The opinions I express are my own. I was not influenced.