Joy Super-Charges Us

Alice Walker wrote “Resistance is the secret of joy” in her novel Possessing the Secret of Joy. I was a senior in high school when I first read her words; they challenged me, and, frankly, scared me a little. I was a defiant kid, born and raised in the home of a mentally ill addict. I knew how to resist my father, but what Alice Walker was talking about reached far beyond an unfortunate paternity. Ms. Walker was speaking of the soul of joy- the essence of it- which is resisting systemic oppression and ignorance within our innermost selves. Resistance and joy are intertwined in the intimate experience of freedom.

I have carried Walker’s words in my heart for 30+ years, and today they are as relevant as ever. Hopes for a progressive age that establishes a new normal with a culture of tolerance and respect for human agency is by the wayside. These are days when we must chant Walker’s words. These are the days of resistance, which is turbo-charged by joy.

Resistance is the secret of joy. Also, joy is the secret of resistance. If we are to survive and thrive in these years of moral/ethical deterioration at the highest echelons of government and industry, we must become skilled at the art of joy. We must seize it, love it, and share it.

Let’s take a moment to define joy, which is different from happiness or pleasure. Happiness is temporal and circumstantial. People in the most dysfunctional, miserable families still have happy days, which they cleave to. A vacation when no one fights brings happiness. Pleasure is the same way; having a few drinks at karaoke with friends provides pleasure. And that’s all good! But it’s not joy.

Joy is more than that. Joy is watching a child graduate after over-coming a major illness. Joy is holding the hand of your friend when she allows you to be at her side during an illness- affirming your trust in each other. Joy is achieving a milestone that your critics told you that you’d never see. Joy is spiritual and it brings us out of our egos and arrogance long enough to feel the Divine within. Joy educates us that we, too, are Divine. We are connected to something beyond ourselves. This feels more than good. Joy is sublime!

I challenge anyone reading this to list 5 things that bring them joy, real joy. Here are mine:

1.     Books- real books, made of paper, ink, and glue. I volunteer at the Book Nook at the gift shop at work. Every week, I donate a couple hours to go through the donation pile, clean up books, and put them out for resale. This brings me joy, and has greatly improved my personal library.

2.     Live Art- this can be a concert, art exhibit, ballet, theater, public art installation, etc. Art experienced in person, in real time, without filters, makes me extraordinarily joyful. I love how humans create. It’s what we do best.

3.     Cats- for real, I just f-ing love cats. I have two. I’d have more, but my senior kitty won’t be having it…. and he’s not afraid to pee in the house to get his message across.

4.     Gardening- I know, I know, this one is pretty ordinary. But I do love the challenge of gardening, the uncertainty of the weather conditions, the unknowing of what will really pop this year. At this new house, the soil is crap, so it will take a few years to get the peonies, roses, berries, and various native species to thrive. I’m patient, now. I can wait to see what happens next.

5.     Friends- I love, love, love friends. I don’t have as many as I used to- I’ve consolidated over the years. I think most of us do as we get older. There’s nothing wrong with this. I’d rather have fewer excellent friendships than piles of superficial ones. And here is a really cool thing that I have learned lately- my adult children are becoming my friends. My mom is my friend. My brothers are my friends. My uncle is my friend. Family can also be friends- which is the highest compliment of all.

During these stressful times, I encourage everyone to think about what brings them joy. Be honest. Whatever comes out of this thought process is ultimately what connects us to the Higher Good, the Divine Self, and the Eternal Light. We need that connection right now. Due to the nature of my work, I witness people despairing and it is hurting their health. We can resist despair through our practice of joy.