Joviality

Jean de LaBruyere wrote, "Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think."

J is for Jovial because it seems better to laugh till you cry than vice versa.

Joviality - you know, a big, full-throttle belly laugh. No, that's a guffaw. How about light-hearted fun at someone's expense? No, that's either a prank or Comedy Central. Well, then, there's the middle ground - shared good humor. By Jove, I think we've got it (or can get it, if that ice cream truck would come around!)

What's interesting is the reference to Jupiter as an omen of joy. In particular, the ancient belief that those born under the sign of Jupiter are joyful personalities. Before you go looking to your own astrological sign, know that August 2011, according to Katharine Merlin in Town & Country magazine, has Jupiter as "favorably aspected" for most of us. Some signs even have Venus working in their favor so as to bring both joy and love next month.

What does this mean for a country, and world for that matter, so destitute of joy?

For one thing, it means that we have to play nice, not play at being nice, with others. Sharing goods, like humor, also seems favorably aspected. But the biggest gains, excuse the expression, will be forthcoming when we think about feelings and feel the need to think more about what we say and do that affects others.

Maybe if we look closely at the pictures of Jupiter, recently sent back to earth, we will see a jovial god's practical wisdom, rather than joke. Bigger is not always better, but better be careful about bigger problems than joviality in the face of adversity.