This holiday season I’ve observed the word “joy” appearing on all kinds of products. These photos show “Joy” printed on coffee cups, paper napkins, facial tissue boxes and ads for magazine subscriptions.
Looks like folks are buying a lot of joy.
The New World Dictionary defines Joy as “a very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight.”
I consider joy to be an uplifting state of well-being. Others may see it as sublime contentment.
I can tell you that joy does not come from drinking the best coffee, driving the fastest car or the coolest clothes. Joy does not come from receiving the most amazing gifts or partying with the most charming people.
Advertising is all about the science of manipulation. Or if you prefer less severe terminology – advertising involves the art of persuasion. The purpose of advertising is to sell – usually things.
There is nothing in itself wrong with advertising. It drives a strong economy. We live in a free country. We get to choose whether or not we will be persuaded by the advertised messages .
However, before we choose, it is important to understand the messaging and the implied promises.
During my sophomore year, Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, was invited to speak at my university. He explained that the purpose of television was to sell toothpaste. Not art, not creativity – but successful sales. Perhaps there was some bitterness underlying that pronouncement as his original Star Trek television series had been cancelled after only 2 ½ seasons. Fortunately Mr. Roddenberry went on to make many wonderful movies and TV spin-offs, so I suspect that he moved past his initial disappointment. He cautioned us never to forget that advertising drives programming and advertising dollars will only support shows with good ratings. Roddenberry wanted us young Trekkers to understand the power of advertising.
So study the messaging. When the promise of joy is conditioned on the purchase of a commodity (such as coffee, cars, smooth liquor, stylish clothes or even creamy chocolate), just know that this promise is a lie.
The state of well-being and joy emanates from one’s connection:
• with God,
• with other people,
• with one’s sense of personal worthiness, and
• with the knowledge of one’s meaning and purpose.
Joy is found within. Joy cannot be purchased. Stuff does not bring joy. Status does not bring joy. Even chocolate does not bring joy.
So go ahead and buy the coffee. Just understand that coffee is only coffee. Coffee may produce alertness but it does not bring joy.
Soon we begin a new year. I invite you to consider making joy a priority in 2018. Nurture the connections that will enhance your state of well-being and joy.
All the joy you want – No purchase necessary.
