The Fear and Joy Connection

In the cartoon, the three lines of people carry buckets of liquid Joy, representing an ever-lasting supply of this precious fluid.  The biggest line represents Joy from the family and the love of family.  This is described in greater detail in the chapter on the family.   The second line carries buckets of Joy associated with activities such as humor, inspiring stories, hobbies, nature’s incredible beauty, etc. 

The third line totes buckets of spiritual Joy.  This is discussed in the Seven Joys of Religion.

The Cauldron is full of a beautiful blue liquid representing happiness. 

As in all aspects of life, there’s also a negative side.  Three drainpipes represent the loss of happiness that is associated with losses from fears.  

The right drainpipe relates to the amount of happiness removed because of fear caused by manipulation.  There is a valve on that pipe that an elusive Elf controls.   The Elf turns the valve to control the amount of happiness flowing out.  So be nice to Elves.  They turn the valve in relation to the frequency and amount of manipulation occurring. 

For example, they concern with manipulated fears; the more knowledge a person acquires, the less manipulation, reducing the loss of valuable happiness liquid.   On the other hand, if the person is extremely fearful, the Elf opens the valve a little more.

The middle drain relates to fears associated with personality traits.  This varies dramatically depending on the type and amount of fears applicable to their personality type.  

For example, a Type A person may have many fears associated with a perceived loss of control. Type B personality may have their greatest fears relating to losing a friend. 

An Elf turns the valve depending on the ability of the personality type to handle each particular fear.  An A-type person would have no problem terminating an underperforming employee, whereas a B-type may suffer great stress in losing an employee friend.  But, a B-type personality may quickly fly through public speaking, whereas the same fear will send a C-type through the roof.  The Elf considers all these factors in closing or opening the personality valve.

The left drain relates to the number and type of particular fears.  A person afraid of everything may lose so much of the treasured blue liquid that it drains the Cauldron too quickly.  The valve on this drainpipe controls the amount and promptness of treatment.  It must be treated immediately if the fear is big, such as being abnormal. 

With the reduction of fears comes more happiness.   This sounds simplistic, but this is how nature works – remember Einstein’s equation. 

The Cauldron also has a meter that measures the happiness level.  It displays the range of good happiness levels and flashes a warning if it drops too low.  This was installed at the request of a Type D Personality in consultation with a C Type engineer.  The meter goes off when:

• you’re feeling down,
• when you’re becoming too sarcastic, or
• the ultimate, when you begin to swear. 

When that happens, it is time to work on reducing fears and adding Joy.

Perhaps it’s time to start your family.  Since this is the largest supply of joy, it may be an excellent place to begin.   Going to church is always a good idea.  Or, maybe it’s time to take that vacation.  Camping out in the backyard and looking at the Milky Way Galaxy is good for a couple of buckets of Joy. 

Then there’s the biggie.  It’s called the “double shot” because it adds joy while cutting fear in one fell swoop.  It’s called forgiveness.  Suppose you have difficulty understanding this trait; check out the link for the D-Type personality.  It’s one of their dominant traits.