I’ve come round to the acceptance of finding joy in small, simple pleasures every day — and as you say, in the knowledge that I am living my life to my principles as much as feasibly possible.

I too struggled for a long time with the varying definitions of both happiness and joy, plus the difference between the two. In the end I had to make peace with the fact that others will not agree with how I see (and how I live) a life which *I feel* is filled with joy. I’ve had to accept criticism from others who would have me live and Be differently for all my life. Now I know that’s fine, I can still continue to live my life and feel my joy, that my joy simply isn’t their joy and that’s ok.

This is a lovely piece, thank you.