The Three Levels of Joy
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Father Tom Mosher, former pastor of St. Mary's Church in Breckenridge, Colorado, is a terrific communicator. My vision of an ideal future was impacted by a talk he gave on the three levels of joy.
“Oh” Joy
The first level of joy is something unexpected and unplanned, yet pleasant and warm. If your mate gives you a spontaneous kiss, your son or daughter shows you a report card with better grades than you expected, or if someone gives you a surprise pat on the back or pays a compliment, you say "Oh, how nice." Something kind, generous, and at least mildly surprising—that's "Oh" joy. And it feels good.
“Alleluia” Joy
The second level of joy results from a sense of "mission accomplished." When we graduate from college, have our first child, complete an important professional objective, or get elected to an important office we experience a sense of significance—the sense of completion that accompanies "Alleluia" joy. It is less fleeting than "Oh" joy, lasting longer, and makes a more permanent impression.
“Amen” Joy
"Amen" is the third and highest level of the joy experience, and while not as common as "Oh" and "Alleluia," is more permanently fulfilling.
We achieve "Amen" when we arrive at a place of personal comfort and satisfaction with our life and how we have lived it. "Amen" is an internal and eternal joy. A happy marriage for ourselves or those close to us, children living within our intended ethical and moral boundaries, knowing ourselves and being at peace with who we are and what we have been—all are signs of "Amen" joy.
Professionally, the experience of "Amen" joy might include satisfaction derived from developing people or organizations, opportunities we created for others, or watching our successor perform faithfully within the norms of behavior we nurtured. The feeling of "Amen" joy is deep, warm, and everlasting. It is the level of joy allowed by our conscience.
As we look ahead, let's contemplate how we can structure our achievement so some day our conscience allows us to look back and say, “Amen.”