Consider Jolliness in Seasons of Struggle

Let's strive to be jolly, not frivolous

No one uses the word “jolly” much, except when singing certain Christmas carols and reciting poems about Jolly Old St. Nick and other cherished works. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, jolly (adjective) derives from the Old French jolif, which meant festive, merry; amorous; pretty. We can probably agree that in our common usage of the word these days, we don’t intend it to mean ‘amorous’ or ‘pretty,’ though it might be great fun to slip it into a conversation in that context at times.

Revisiting the true meaning of being jolly

A jolly person exudes a type of joy. Contrary to what many people think today, joy is not synonymous with happy. Rather, a jolly person is certainly happy, but one can be happy without being in a state of jolliness. Happiness is fleeting. It’s really simply a state of satisfaction or contentment. A feeling of excitement or cheerfulness often accompanies happiness, but jolliness is more — it’s extra and it’s lasting.

Jolliness - it’s extra and it’s lasting

Put another way, jolliness isn’t constrained by feelings of excitement or cheerfulness (at least not the type of cheerfulness, which is characterized by frivolity). A state of happiness comes first, then jolliness adds its effervescent thoughtfulness and joy to the underlying satisfaction and contentedness.

We’ve all run into those people whose innate personality exudes a certain bubbly attitude — an inner joy, of sorts — those who naturally project a warmth over a room.

Maybe others have told you that you’re one of these people.

Is there a certain attitude that characterizes a jolly person?

Others are drawn to those with a spirit of jolliness because this state arises from a person’s overall sense of gratitude for the goodness which surrounds us all — those things, big and small, which enrich our lives.

A few of the many everyday things that make my life beautiful, include:

• A steaming mug of fresh coffee on a crisp, cold morning

• The sound of a loved one’s key unlocking the front door after an absence

• The sight of radishes, turnips, onions, kale, beets and more bursting forth with color as they mature to share their fruits with us

• Reading a well-written article, perhaps on a grave and serious topic, that includes a cleverly placed humorous statement or reference

• Those priceless times spent around the family dinner table

The truly jolly person takes the time to appreciate and respond to the beauty and goodness in everyday life. A man of jolly character is thoughtful, not frivolous. His glorious humor leads others to join him in proper merriment. He has a depth of character that rolls off of him in waves.

The shallow and frivolous don’t measure up

Contrast this to the self-absorbed shallowness associated with the frivolous person; for, those characterized by frivolity fail to appreciate and respond to the everyday good in life. A person like this seeks only his or her own pleasure by whatever scheme necessary to achieve this end. He or she has little ability to moderate the activities engaged in as an attempt to apprehend happiness.

All the scheming and cloying may produce some happiness and ostentatious cheerfulness, but these are far from resilient. Hedonist activities and gorging oneself on the goods available make achieving joy and, thus jolliness, impossible.

Deep calls to Deep

Deep calls to deep

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all of your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7

Those fine characters capable of profound gratitude naturally find levity and a transcendent thread in even the most difficult, pressing situations in the world around us. To be jolly is not to engage in base frivolity, but to see — really see with one’s interior self — the greatness of God all around us. Even for those agnostics or non-believers, it is quite accessible to realize the beauty and goods in creation. This realization beckons — no, requires — one to celebrate it with jolly effervescence.

So, Jolly Old St. Nick was right in his playfulness, his merriment, his generosity and must have had a profound depth of character.

This Christmastide, let’s cultivate jollity and joy. Let us take care to develop jolliness borne of a thoughtful and deliberate desire to recognize the countless examples of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in this world. Yes, even in the shadow of psychopathic, self-appointed leaders plotting our destruction, we can be rightfully jolly by eschewing the hedonism and intemperate cloying of frivolity.

PLEASE take a moment to add your own listing of those everyday goods for which you are grateful in the comments.

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