What is Joie de Vivre?
Contemplating joy...
This post is going to be more philosophical than practical. As a standard practice here at Into The Blue, I want to focus on particular things that are a source of joy if we learn to receive them as such, like food, spirits, and work (yes, even work). But as we are in our early days together, I wanted to take a step back and focus on joy itself.
What exactly is joie de vivre? Or perhaps I should say, what do I mean by joie de vivre at Into The Blue? Because it means many things to many people, and the definitions vary quite widely.
That variation is a wonderful thing, because frankly, joy is too big for any one of us to grasp alone. We each have a perspective. We each bring something to the table based on our understanding and experience.
So, while I am going to sketch out some thoughts on joie de vivre, please consider this an invitation not a lecture – an invitation to a discussion among friends. I am not an expert, just a learner. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Onward.
Joie de vivre is a French term that has passed into use in English. Literally, it means “joy of living.” The term’s use exploded following the French writer and thinker Émile Zola’s novel of the same name in the 1880’s about a girl whose positivity contrasts with the darkness around her.
The term has been taken up by thinkers, artists, and others to describe everything from a simple disposition to a full-on worldview, from an embrace of hedonism to a celebration of simple pleasures.
Joie de Vivre – Into The Blue-Style!
According to the Oxford Dictionary, joie de vivre means an “exuberant enjoyment of life.” I like that definition. To me, joie de vivre is about passion, joie de vivre is about life. What gets you pumped? What makes your life worth living? There you will find joy.
How do you recognize joie de vivre beyond it being a matter of passion and life? True joie de vivre is a gift. It may be elaborate or simple, eternal or transitory. Regardless, it touches your soul, lightens your burden, and builds you up. And it creates bonds, builds others up too. It gives, never takes.
If it does not do these things, beware that you are not chasing an illusion, or seeking your Creator in what is merely created.
That’s it. I really wouldn’t care to define it further. I want to leave it open to learn from you. And beyond the basic outlines, joie de vivre looks different for every person. For me, it is watching football on TV at my brother’s house surrounded by family. But, we are each a unique creation with unique passions living in unique circumstances.
What is Joie de Vivre to You?
So tell me, have you known this kind of joy in your life? What does it look like? Is it something you left behind along the way or do you know it still today? What would have to change for it to be a regular part of your life?
Where have I missed the mark? What else should we all know about joie de vivre?
Please add your voice in the comments. Let’s learn together, that we might all know joy more richly, and in turn share it with others. Let’s be a ripple that turns into a wave.
A Short Meditation
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat and who can have enjoyment?
A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. - Matthew Henry
Life is tough, scarred by heartbreak, and mostly beyond our control. Then we die.
Jesus knew this experience better than anyone. Yet, his life was marked by joy and good humor: joy in food and drink shared with friends, joy in the hard and heavy labor of his life, joy in the face of suffering and death, joy in God.
He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Now that is joie de vivre! Joy that lasts, not mere fleeting pleasure.
Embracing joy is an act of silent, defiant, revolutionary faith. Yes, Lord, I accept what you have ordained for me. Yes, Lord, I trust you are good. Yes, Lord, I delight in your gifts. Yes, Lord, you are enough for me. Yes, Lord.
Un Petit Aperçu
Qu’est-ce que c’est la joie de vivre? Cela a commencé comme une expression française mais s'est répandue partout dans le monde. La joie de vivre signifie «Gaieté ou félicité profonde provenant du sentiment d’exister». À mon avis, la joie de vivre est une question de passion et de vie. C'est la vie en abondance! C’est une joie qui touche notre âme, allège notre fardeau et nous édifie. Cela crée de l’accord et de l’amitié. La joie donne; elle ne prend jamais.
Alors dites-moi, avez-vous connu cette joie dans votre vie? A quoi ça ressemble? N’hésitez pas à partager vos réflexions dans les commentaires.
Μία Περίληψη
Τι είναι το joie de vivre (τη χαρά της ζωής); Ξεκίνησε ως γαλλική φράση αλλά έχει εξαπλωθεί σε όλο τον κόσμο. Κατά την άποψή μου, το joie de vivre αφορά το πάθος και τη ζωή. Η αληθινή χαρά είναι δώρο από τον Θεό. Αγγίζει την ψυχή σου, ελαφρύνει το βάρος σου και σ’ ευλογεί. Δημιουργεί φιλία και αρμονία. Δίνει, ποτέ δεν παίρνει.
Πες μου λοιπόν, ξέρεις αυτή τη χαρά; Τι άλλο πρέπει να ξέρουμε για το θέμα; Παρακαλώ μοιραστείς τις σκέψεις σου στα σχόλια.
Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ec 5:18). Logos Research Systems.
Thank you Jeff. Well said. The word that comes to my mind is fullness and completion. Something about joy that fills all the holes and makes for a sense of completion... the very last piece in a 1000 piece puzzle, the final, necessary stroke on a painting, the digestif after a 7 course meal, the perfect jewelry to accessorize an outfit, you get the picture. Joy brings a wholeness, fulfillment to everything, especially the soul, as you indicated, joy touches the soul. And I loved this painting, I could look at it for a very long time! A thoughtful painting says so much.