During my visit to London for the 2012 Summer Games I got inspired for a blog series. In the London Underground, “Mind the Gap” is the constant warning to “see and beware” of the space between the platform and the train door literally a matter of life and death! Boarding my blog, however, this same phrase is a plea to consider the “valuable difference” between words or concepts that otherwise appear quite similar a difference that I am hoping leads us to decisions or behavior that empowers self and others!

What IS the difference, for example, between Happiness and Joy?

A great way to “Mind the Gap” between happiness and joy would be to focus on the dichotomy of internal vs. external, or the temporary vs. the lasting? NOT that these dichotomies are opposed, per se.

Yet, happiness is the state of mind that is a reaction to something EXTERNAL. You got or witnessed or tasted something that made you feel happy. The feeling is GREAT, but not lasting! The feeling comes when someone or something OTHER THAN YOU does something that makes you happy!

Joy is also an emotion/state of mind, but its origins and causes live INTERNALLY as a function of having done something significant in, of, for and by OURSELVES! Joy is lasting, contagious and productive. ?Joy rises in status above and beyond a pure emotion as a RESOURCE that lives in an accessible way inside of us. It?s there inside of you right now!

STOP waiting around for others to make you happy! START a habit of looking within and asking yourself what you are proud of, or grateful for in your life. Seriously, do it now. What are you proud of and grateful for?Do you feel that? When you look within through the lenses of self-love, self-compassion and gratitude, you will have tapped into the magnetic, attractive, contagious and productive emotion of JOY!

My great friend and professional colleague, Michael Anderson, is the founder of Executive Joy!, a public speaking, executive coaching and workshop company dedicated to helping highly driven, successful Business Professionals?experience greater Joy (and success) in their lives!

Michael hired me in late 2012 to help him launch his Speaking career and in turn, has opened many professional doors for me as well. Working with Michael and watching his growth has made me happy, and now it also gives me GREAT JOY to promote his #1 best selling book, The Experiment!, an exciting and modern business fable that promises to teach all of us the transformational life skills that Michael learned while pursuing his Masters in Spiritual Psychology skills that he has now taught to dozens of Business Professionals around the world.

I hope we get a chance to discuss Michael’s Book so much so that we’re offering two complimentary coaching sessions to anyone who orders Michael’s book! So, even if you have already had your two comp sessions, you get two more with proof of purchase of Michael’s book, The Experiment!

Remember, also, to Mind The Gap between Happiness and Joy and leave your comments or offer the ways you would describe THE difference Happiness and Joy!

To Yours, Cheers!