Deleted Scene #2: My Failed Analogy

While I was writing The Myth of Happiness, I struggled to come up with an strong analogy to differentiate between “joy” and “expressions of joy”. I developed an idea that I thought keenly expressed, in real world terms, the fundamental difference between the two ideas. But, try as I might, I simply could not get the analogy into language that was easy to understand. It was too geeky. So, in the final manuscript, I pulled this idea in place of a second that was far more appropriate. However, I still believe, if you can get past all the geek talk, the following analogy can shed light on the nature of joy. I’ll share it here as my book’s equivalent of a “deleted scene”. Rest assured, this is not the sort of stuff that actually made it in the book.

In the computer world, programmers distinguish between two things that they call objects and instances. An object defines how part of a software program, such as a web page or an email message, behaves and looks like on the screen. An instance is an “expression” or “manifestation” of that object; it’s the thing you and I click on with our mouse when we run the software. So, to put it simply, a programmer defines objects in his code; users of the program don’t interact directly with these underlying objects, but instances of those objects. To illustrate, an object is the logic of displaying any web page, while an instance is one particular web page you are looking at.

The distinction between joy and expressions of joy is much like this computer programming example. Joy lives inside of the spirit of a believer, but is revealed through our emotions or states of mind. However, note the difference: these outward manifestations – delight, contentment, and gladness – are not the same as joy itself. Joy is the divine substance underneath.

Not only does this programming illustration help describe the difference between joy and the ways in which it surfaces in our lives, but it also helps explain why joy doesn’t seem to last long. In the software world, objects are a permanent part of the program, while instances last only when the program is running at a given point in time. So, when you turn off the computer, the object buried inside the program’s code is still on your hard drive. But the instance of that object goes away. Later, when you reopen the program again, you are actually working with a new instance of the same underlying object. In much the same way, expressions of joy may not last for long in our lives. Elijah, for instance, can rejoice in the mighty power of God on Mount Carmel on one day, and yet cowardly run and hide into the desert the next. Me too. I can be on a spiritual mountain top after a great worship service. But, my elation crashes and burns after I get into a fender bender on the way home. Joyful expressions can come and go quickly, but the joy flowing through our bloodstream never leaves us.

Originally posted on Digitalwalk.net