FOR better understanding of joyfulness, it is best to delve what joy is all about. Joy in Webster dictionary is defined as the state of happiness. By this definition itself, it is evident that it is often used interchangeably with the word happiness. However, joy has a slight difference from happiness. The word happiness was seldom used in the Scriptures. The Bible put emphasis more on the word joy. It simply shows that joy is divine or divinely inspired whereas happiness may be inspired by other factors other than what is divine. For better understanding, joy is a feeling of gladness within a person that exists even in the absence of outside stimulation such as entertainment, fun, company of people or friends and the likes. Happiness, on the other hand, requires outside stimulations to produce the feeling.
The implication of their nature is very relevant. The person with joy in his/her heart can still smile and laugh in the midst of adverse circumstances. He/she is unaffected by problems and he/she keeps on enjoying what he/she is doing amidst of opposition. He/she is motivated to pursue and press on to his/her goals. His/her sense of humor is never dampened and can still turn the atmosphere around. This is exactly what joyfulness means. It is the condition of supreme well-being and good spirits; it is an act of cheerfulness as the free dictionary puts it. Joyfulness is the attitude and joy and humor is the stimuli.
Some commentaries have another way of saying. Happiness is a feeling or emotion and it is temporary while joyfulness is an attitude of the heart and it can last longer or even forever. Based from this point of view, this concept of joyfulness has a state of stability or permanence, thus, a joyful person is consistent in his/her positive attributes. It makes him/her buoyant in the face of negative situations. As an attitude of the heart, he/she can afford to be kind, pleasant, and gracious before his/her clientele, not because he/she is required to be such but because it is natural for him/her. When this happens, the value of joyfulness is no longer obligatory because it already formed part of his/her nature. It is the by-product of his/her life as a person.
The impact of joyfulness is very important to a workplace especially in the public service. It is not only helpful to an individual concerned but also to others within his/her influence. They will keep on giving their best service in the interest of the public and regardless of their situation. Joy and humor becomes the inner drive within them that keeps on pushing them to accomplish their tasks. Against all odds and risks, they will keep on doing what they think is lawful, moral, and right. They are not moved by contrary persuasion of others. They will have a better chance to be awarded as best employees.