Deep Something

True Joy Is a Serious Thing

July 16, 2026 B. John 118 Views 2 Comments Stoicism, Meaning, Seneca, nostalgia, Music, attention, true joy, ordinary days, Pictures at an Exhibition

This entry is in the series Journey Through Stoicism

For years, the Latin phrase Res severa est verum gaudium has appeared at the bottom of my personal letterhead. I understood it to mean, “True joy is a serious thing,” and I loved the way it gave joy weight. Only recently did I learn that the words came from Seneca.

That discovery opened the door to a deeper reflection on the difference between happiness and joy. From the grand ending of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to a quiet hillside in Boone, this essay explores the kind of joy that carries memory, beauty, loss, gratitude, and meaning all at once.

Culture Deep Thoughts Featured Friends Fun Stuff

Joy in the Margins

July 11, 2025 B. John 1411 Views 0 Comments Senaca, Grace, Meaning, Hope, Flamingos, Joy, Gratitude, Resilience

“Joy doesn’t cancel out the heavy things, but it gives you little pockets of strength to carry on. Let it in, whenever and wherever you can.” Joy isn’t a finish line. It’s a companion. A weird, sometimes inappropriately timed companion. It shows up when you need it, not when you deserve it. In this reflection, I explore how small moments of joy can help carry us through the weight of the world, with a little humor and maybe even a rubber chicken.