Our December Touchstones theme is “Joy.” We certainly know joy when we feel it, but it is challenging to capture its essence in words. Joy and happiness are often considered as synonyms in popular culture and literature, which adds to the confusion. America’s Declaration of Independence enshrined the inalienable rights of “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” in the imagination. This idea, however, of happiness as a pursuit accords with Psychologist Ben Fletcher’s assertion that, “Happiness is the consequence of what we do and how we behave.” As he asserts, “Happiness is not a feeling — it is doing.” This means that happiness is an outcome based on what we do, not a goal or an emotion.
Join us during the month of December as we explore the theme of Joy!
Exploring Joy
Touchstones Journal
Make sure to subscribe to This Week at AUUF to receive this month’s issue of the Touchstones Journal and other resources about this month’s theme!
Ways to Engage Joy
- Theme Services:
- “Imagining Joy in the Darkness: A Solstice Service”, December 18, Rev. Chris Rothbauer
- Second Hours will focus on Joy throughout the month.
- Covenant Groups will be discussing the theme at our meetings this month.
- Facebook and Instagram Posts: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily quotes on our December theme.