Cultivating Joy

I’ve been ruminating about joy recently.  I encountered an extremely joyful person at church recently and I can’t stop thinking about her.  I’m wondering if one can cultivate joy or does it just appear at random moments?  Joy is different from happiness.  I think of happiness as dependent on pleasure especially getting what one wants, e.g.  I am happy I have a new garden.  Joy is a state of being, deeper than an emotion and not rational at all, but rather flowing from some deep well within us.  Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances or even on one’s will.  The Bible explains Joy as a fruit of the Spirit.  But can one cultivate joy?  I know joy when it when I see it in others and it is very attractive.  When I recall joyful people I’ve seen and I know I want what they have.  If joy is a spiritual gift, can one cultivate joy by cultivating one’s spirit?  I think so.  One can meditate daily (a practice I’m trying to begin, bit by bit) and only time will tell if it provides nurture for joy to appear.  One can read spiritual books or articles or even the Bible.  One can stop focusing on negative news and do the best one can in controlling the input to one’s mind.  I alone am responsible for seeking spiritual gifts, for seeking joy and cultivating it through positive practices.  Let the joy flow!