Joy As a Form of Activism

They want your joy. Be defiant!

Let’s Talk About Joy

So why is joy important? Because this is a fight of years, not days. This is a journey, and a long one. And joy sustains us.

You can find joy in your activism. Activists can be a really fun bunch of people. Bring laughter and seek light in your work. Surround yourself with people you enjoy and people you respect. More people want to join in actions that are joyful and fun. Who wants to be around miserable people?

As awesome as activists and activism are, it’s important to find joy outside of activism too. Whatever brings you joy in your own life – keep it up – don’t bury it or deprive yourself – jump in. If it makes you happy – it’s part of the solution. Music, exercise, pets, friends, family, reading, hobbies, it’s all good.

No one was ever helped because an activist denied themselves joy, or laughter, or fun. Lama Rod Owens teaches students that just because the lotus doesn’t bloom without the mud, we don’t need to be little piggies and roll around in it. Hardships exist, but if we are to deal with them, and see positivity bloom, we need to get out of the mud.

After all, what’s the point of fighting for a world, if we’re not going to be happy in it.

10 Tips for Seeking Joy

1. Actively look for joyful moments in everyday occurrences. Start keeping your eyes open when out and about. Small things, big things: smile at someone in a grocery store, kids playing at a park, the sun shining.

2. Watch what you focus on. Joy is everywhere, even in the darkness. You can focus on the oligarchs or a huge anti-oligarchy rally; the cruelty of a billionaire or a certain automaker stock plummeting; bullies doing terrible things or creative people doing creative things to fight back and stand up. The choice is yours. Staying informed doesn’t mean wallowing in the harm.

3. Make sure your inbox and social media see joy. Sign up for positive news based newsletters and follow fun accounts.

   • Americans of Conscience Checklist is a newsletter that shares good news for democracy and equality alongside suggested difference-making actions in every edition.

   • CNN’s 5 Good Things newsletter brings good news only to your inbox.

   • My Modern Met is a newsletter filled with beauty and creativity, no bad news.

   • Some of our favorite social media accounts are: Sigfreid and Joy, Bodega Cats, We Rate Dogs, Earth, ZillowGoneWild, TerribleMap, Elmo, ThatGoodNewsGirl. Please share some of yours in the comments!

4. Make, keep, and nurture connections. We make each other joyful. A Zen riddle goes … What is more important, the journey or the destination? The answer is - the company. Spend time with the wonderful people in your life - in person, online, call, text, write. Just do it. Be there. Make time.

5. Move! Take a nature walk. Dance. Try yoga or a hula hoop. Getting into your body can get you out of your head.

6. Find your ‘Orwell Roses’. What is your place of beauty, separate from what’s going on around you? What is your labor of love?

7. Practice gratitude. Gratitude and joy are close cousins. When you can find something to be thankful for in a situation, joy will follow closely behind.

8. Be silly. Remember laughing like crazy when you were a kid? Make a funny face at someone. Tell a dumb joke. Sing a funny song, or change the words to be funny.

9. Laugh as often and as hard as you can. Read funny stories, listen to comedians, watch funny shows or movies, and/or swap funny stories with friends. Laughter is jet fuel for your soul.

10. Create a Joy List! What makes you joyful? Write it all down. When you need a pick-me-up go to your list. Pick something and have a blast.

    “Every joke is a tiny revolution.” - George Orwell

We all understand that joy itself can’t fix every wrong in the world, but it is an essential tool we must learn to carry with us. So smile, laugh, be kind. It’s for the movement. 😊