Hedonism is a continual focus on pleasure, gratification, enjoyment, etc. as a way of life, as a primary pursuit tat motivates what you do, rather than just letting those positive emotional states happen. It's about chasing them through certain behavior and experience, rather than choosing other, higher, truer, realer motivations (like truth, morality, etc.) as more important to guide us in life that will automatically produce positive emotional states as a consequence, not as the primary goal though.

For example, family can be a positive thing to focus on to motivate us. But some people put their family above truth, above right vs. wrong understanding, so this justifies doing wrongs all because they are only looking at their personal life and personal well-being of those closest to them as an extension of themselves.

You can be happy with your life, and it's condition, and that makes you joyful sure. That's thinking about something and generating an emotional response as a result, not hedonism indeed ;) Just thinking and seeing the good fortune you have can bring you value and meaning in life, and that generates joy like you say. It can also fade in the face of challenges and trials. Seeking to be permanently joyful or happy isn't realistic. Emotional states fluctuate, come and go. Just like we don't stay sad forever, we don't stay happy forever either ;) Thanks for the feedback.