Joy as Resistance

Sometimes I find it hard to tap into joy. But when faced with the weight of life, tragedy, trauma, and personal loss—I need either a way out or an anchor. Joy has become my latest tool of resistance and is often an invitation to meet myself at the edge of suffering without feeling shame or guilt for experiencing moments of lightness or delight. Allowing myself the space for joy even in moments of difficulty allows me to draw on the capacity for resilience and healing amidst our moments of great effort. In this blog post about finding joy during these challenging times, I invite you to look towards joy and embrace it as one path forward toward thriving despite whatever difficulties life may bring.

Joy can provide an uplifting counterbalance to the darkness of difficult times. It is a form of resistance, a practice of knowing, being, and loving in the world with our whole selves, even when it feels impossible. Joy is more than a feeling – it is an action and an intention we take to create meaningful connections with ourselves and others. Joy involves learning to appreciate our vulnerabilities, celebrating our victories no matter how small, and picking each other up even when discouragement looms. Joy can bloom in the barren places that make up our current experience if we dare to approach it with an open heart. Joy is the ultimate change agent!

Joy is a powerful emotion that can help us transcend life’s difficulties, even if only for short periods. Joy can be found no matter what season you are in or what challenges you are enduring. Joy is, in essence, an intrinsic part of who we are; it’s a connection to God. Joyful moments, when experienced intentionally and deeply, can feel like a soulful reward that helps us recharge and restore our spirit during times of struggle. To cultivate joy during challenging times, focus on the present moment through prayer or contemplation and find beauty in the things surrounding you. Joy doesn’t have to be dramatically fleeting; its presence reminds us of hope beyond our current circumstances.

Joy often gets swept aside while trying to live our best lives by engaging the myth of the hustle, and it’s one of the best tools for self-care. Joy can be cultivated through an active inner strength that can attract contentment; it’s a practice of being rather than doing. Joy requires us to acknowledge our present well-being and the blessings available to us, no matter how small. I’ve had to get over the idea that joy and happiness are akin to one another and instead recognize it as the desire to capture moments in life that give the soul peace and comfort. Joy can be found in laughter, prayer, tears, the groove of your favorite song, or time with nature; if we put forth an effort, it’s right there waiting for us to remember who we are at our core.

Joy is integral to our lives, and its power to bring a positive change should not be underestimated. Joy gives us the buoyancy needed to traverse difficult moments, allowing us to look forward with renewed energy and courage. Taking part in the joyous gatherings of the spiritual community can offer insight into the broader aspects of redemption and creation at work throughout our lives—creating more opportunities for each person to experience collective joy.

Finding joy has never been more important, and it can be a powerful force that gives us strength to carry on as we reconnect our shared humanity through collective moments that are powerful enough to change the world. Joy is an act of individual and communal resistance against sorrow, despair, loneliness, and the like. This is why we are compelled to bring JOY TO The WORLD!!