What brings you joy in life?

[Original_Intent]

Learning something. Especially if the thing learned is a "puzzle piece" that fits into the larger understanding of "WTF is going on here?" (or golden questions for the mor TBM)

[Reluctant Watchman]

Before going too far in this thread, I wanted to express my joy in coming to know Christ. It is hard to put into words the joy that fills my soul as I contemplate His love for all of us. I have several distinct memories where I have felt Christ’s overwhelming love during times of repentance, forgiveness and healing.

[Reluctant Watchman]

One thing that brings me joy is seeing people learn and overcome previously held false ideas or beliefs. I find joy in seeing the outward and inward change that happens to people.

As an example, one of my sons really had a hard time during the plandemic. When we started questioning the doctrine and official narrative of the church, it kind of tore him apart. Talking about anything became a challenge. Well, last night we sat down and spent about an hour and a half talking through the core narrative/beliefs of the LDS org, from the beginning of the restoration until to day. In the end we ran through the 15 temple recommend questions and analyzed what those questions required of a person, and then compared that to Christ’s doctrine in scripture. He was finally able to open up his heart just a little bit. I believe he was able to see that all is not well in Zion… but that Zion, in reality, may not have been what the marketing campaign said it was. That Christ is far more loving than we’ve been taught, and that men can be far more insidious.

[Cruiserdude]

One of the things that really brings me joy is discussing and testifying of Jesus Christ with others, including family members. I'm grateful most, if not all, allow me to testify of Him. It's truly made me feel the most whole I've EVER felt.... I'm just so grateful for Him. I know He is the key to my finding honest inner peace and happiness, that turning from the world and to Him really did remove any fears and concerns of the temporal....and I love to share, with any who'll listen, that same joy and peace... and with those that have already found Him, it's beautiful to see that same feeling in others that I feel for Him.

[Momma J]

Many, many things...

My husband slipping his hand into mine.
Laughter, especially that of an innocent child
Smelling the earth when a light rain is falling
Watching the birds hatching in the nest outside my window
Holding a baby in my arms
Hugs.... seriously, a hug has incredible power.
My children stopping by unannounced and giving a hand in the garden...
Watching my 12-year-old dog with zoomies, anticipating going for a hike in the woods. (zoomies are the unbridled actions of a puppy when excited, which might entail leaping over the back of the sofa, between your legs and around the table 8 times)
My grandson calling to tell me about his baseball game... hearing his joy!
Kicking off my shoes and feeling the warm soil
Sitting on the porch and listening to the cicadas and the toads as the sun sets in a glorious orange hue.
Slathering butter on fresh baked bread and sharing a slice with a friend who dropped by.
Running my fingers through the deep grooves of the bark of the old oak tree and wondering how many people have sat under its branches.
Seeing the rays of sunlight poking through the clouds after a storm
Watching four ornery dogs curled up together snoring....
Sitting on the bank of the creek and dipping my toes into the water while a squirrel scolds me for invading it's space.

My husband slipping his hand into mine.

Feeling the love of our Father radiate through me.

[Luke]

Helping others.

“And just as it was a ‘happy privilege’ for us in poverty and self-sacrifice to have our homes to preach the gospel, or to fill any calling in labors of love and charity for the salvation of the Father’s children, thereby to learn their gratitude and love as our reward just so it was a privilege. For how do we attain to real happiness but in administering happiness to others?” — Benjamin F. Johnson (Benjamin F. Johnson, Letter to George S. Gibbs, circa 1903, CHL)

[TheChristian]

One of the things that really brings me joy is discussing and testifying of Jesus Christ with others, including family members. I'm grateful most, if not all, allow me to testify of Him. It's truly made me feel the most whole I've EVER felt.... I'm just so grateful for Him. I know He is the key to my finding honest inner peace and happiness, that turning from the world and to Him really did remove any fears and concerns of the temporal....and I love to share, with any who'll listen, that same joy and peace... and with those that have already found Him, it's beautiful to see that same feeling in others that I feel for Him.

A true friend of Jesus of Nazerath! The Lord bless you my brother.

[Reluctant Watchman]

Helping others.

“And just as it was a ‘happy privilege’ for us in poverty and self-sacrifice to have our homes to preach the gospel, or to fill any calling in labors of love and charity for the salvation of the Father’s children, thereby to learn their gratitude and love as our reward just so it was a privilege. For how do we attain to real happiness but in administering happiness to others?” — Benjamin F. Johnson (Benjamin F. Johnson, Letter to George S. Gibbs, circa 1903, CHL)

What do you think that administration looks like?

[TheDuke]

I have to admit to 5 bad days in a row. I had a powerful revelation (11 parts) last month that didn't go as I had envisioned. I got worried about my relationship with the Lord. And it put me out a bit. Then today after a couple days of pondering I got back the spirit. Powerful calm and peace and feeling of comfort. I still do not yet understand what the Lord wants me to see. But I feel in-line with him (them) again.

Being in-line with the Lord brings me joy/peace/happiness/comfort/purpose I guess other things add to it but when it is absent, nothing can make up for it!

[Reluctant Watchman]

My kids bring me joy. Now, it doesn’t always seem like it at the time, but it makes me happy to see them succeed AND fail. We also butt heads at times, but much of that is probably due to a lot of my upbringing in how I was raised and various expectations that were set. Those expectations were not always good btw. It’s amazing how influential false beliefs and traditions really impact the quality of life of a family. And to the opposite, how true principles and beliefs bring joy and love to a family.

[Rubicon]

The OP reminded me of this promo video for a 2012 German song "Himmel auf." It comes from the longer phrase "wann reisst der Himmel auf fuer mich?" (when will heaven open up for me?). The video asked people "what makes you happy?", with the range of responses you would get anywhere. There are some touching ones, like "if my daughter were still alive."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EJhhzSVzME

[Reluctant Watchman]

The OP reminded me of this promo video for a 2012 German song "Himmel auf." It comes from the longer phrase "wann reisst der Himmel auf fuer mich?" (when will heaven open up for me?). The video asked people "what makes you happy?", with the range of responses you would get anywhere. There are some touching ones, like "if my daughter were still alive."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EJhhzSVzME

Bummer, no English subtitles.

[Reluctant Watchman]

I was looking back at photos from a recent hiking trip. Hiking in the mountains brings me joy and peace. One unmistakable and unforgettable smell is the pine and foliage while hiking on a trail through the forest. Just sitting here I can close my eyes and take in a deep breath and still get a sense of that serenity.

Here are a few shots from two recent hiking trips.

[RosyPosy]

Another thing that brings me joy is putting my 2 week notice to a job with a poor pay structure

[RosyPosy]

I was looking back at photos from a recent hiking trip. Hiking in the mountains brings me joy and peace. One unmistakable and unforgettable smell is the pine and foliage while hiking on a trail through the forest. Just sitting here I can close my eyes and take in a deep breath and still get a sense of that serenity.

Here are a few shots from two recent hiking trips.

I really enjoy seeing the contrast between a sunrise and sunset on mountains.

[Jamescm]

Sexual gratification.

No, really, the knowledge that there is a woman who puts me above everyone else and devotes herself to me, unconditionally. (or as unconditionally as we can be in mortality) Sexual gratification, as a reliable and repeated part of this relationship, is the one most sure sign of it, because it and bearing children are the only two acts I can not perform for myself. Cleaning, cooking, whatever other things she could ever bring to our relationship are things that I don't need her for. Serving as a counselor or a sympathetic ear are things other people, even men, can do for me, though both are welcome services of hers. I could go hire a prostitute and obtain sex, but even if I approached it in strictly a carnal sense, it falls short because it is unsustainable, unexclusive, and empty of all other dimensions.

There simply are no other tasks or experiences that can claim that they grant "the most joy". Direct communion with the Lord Himself is rare, fleeting, and entirely against my own planning and timing, no matter my own righteousness or attempts thereto. Furthermore, it is not Eternal.
It is as fleeting as any sensual pleasure. I therefore simply don't trust in it anymore as a primary goal. Creative tasks all eventually hit my own limits in creativity. Physical training will never grant me strength or speed enough to be independent and safe from all other physical forces. Other physical sensations, such as temperature, humidity, touch, taste, sights, and whatever else are all small and unreliable. Even the consuming of sweets is something I am only able to do in decreasing amounts as I age.

And finally, it is one of the few things I can imagine being significant going into Celestial life. I haven't reason to suppose that I'll have any more power, knowledge, or creativity than anyone else, even if I devoted myself to gaining such things*. I can suppose, however, that my wife will be as beautiful and appealing to me as ever, and perhaps even actually willing to meet my needs when it doesn't merely suit her own whim, on strictly her terms.

*Second to sex, though, it would really rock if resurrected beings could increase their own force/power production like Dragon Ball characters, ad infinitum, based on their own effort. Squatting a neutron star as a legitimate improvement technique and not just a bragging point would really give me something to do in the hereafter.

[ransomme]

Sometimes it seems like, being right.

But the best moments always come from participating in bearing one another's burdens, or sharing in the happiness of others whether physical, emotional or spiritual.

When connecting with God and His other children.