Black Joy
“And so I’m just sitting here saying nobody’s stealing my joy, nobody’s going to make me angry…” -Senator Cory Booker
On the third day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Senator Cory Booker vowed to let no conservative demagogue steal the joy he’d found in the hope of the U.S. Supreme Court’s first black female nominee. In the face of intense criticism by right-wing Senators hell-bent on portraying her as “soft on crime,” Judge Brown Jackson was poised, diligent, and gracious. But for the occasional flash of bewilderment across her face, she seemed largely unphased by various attempts to discredit and humiliate her.
But baby! When Cory Booker grabbed the mic, the energy in the room shifted. His evident and sincere joy could not be contained! Hearing him laud Judge Brown Jackson’s achievements as an African-American, Christian, mother, attorney, and more stirred something in me that I’m still unable to put into words. But I do know this – I need Cory Booker Joy. That’s the joy for me. So I started thinking about the meaning of joy, how it differs from happiness, and most importantly, how it can be obtained.
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What Is Joy?
Experts believe the term “joy” is derived from the Greek word chara, relating to both words chairo (rejoice) and charis (grace). Meaning, joy can be found in rejoicing in grace. Joy also has Biblical roots, appearing anywhere from 100+ to 400+ times in the Bible, depending upon the translation. From Merriam-Webster to Dictionary.com, the definitions of joy are endless.
But the one that resonated with me most describes joy as an attitude that defies circumstance and recognizes the big picture beyond our immediate pain. That’s Cory Booker Joy. The mindset that says, “I realize these people are attempting to marginalize your accomplishments and slander your name, but I refuse to give into that. I’m too busy witnessing history to lose my joy.” Wow.
Joy vs. Happiness
Though closely related and sometimes used interchangeably, joy and happiness represent two different concepts. The more common emotion, happiness, is usually attached to an accomplishment, experience, or objective. A New York Times columnist puts it this way, “happiness usually involves a victory for the self.” And as such, happiness is fleeting. The idea of getting to happiness can keep us in a constant state of chasing, seeking, and wanting. And because it is transient in nature, we can experience happiness in any pleasurable activity, like eating, exercising, or engaging with friends.
But joy! Ummmph. Ummmph. Ummmph. Joy is an inward feeling of peace and contentment despite our circumstances. We don’t need personal victories to experience joy. Joy is available to us by blessing others, spending time with God, witnessing justice for the oppressed, and watching history in the making. Joy is a deep feeling of contentment nurtured throughout our lives and extending far beyond. Sign me up for both!
How to Cultivate Joy
Focus on you. Appreciate yourself. Replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones. Spend time getting to know and love yourself. Detach from external noises and focus on the most important relationship you will ever have: the one with yourself.
If problems from your past are keeping you stuck in a cycle of misery, don’t be afraid to address them. Identify those traumatic experiences and create an action plan to manage them. Heal those broken parts of yourself and remove any stumbling blocks keeping you from experiencing joy.
Practicing gratitude can help adjust our perspectives on life’s difficult moments. When we wake up each day focused on the good things in life and how we’ve been blessed, we create more to be thankful for.
As a former vampire, I can attest to the healing power of nature. Breathing the air, hearing the sounds, and feeling the sun, wind, or rain can help recenter you and boost your mental health.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
As energetic beings, we are constantly absorbing vibrations. Whether it’s the people closest to us, the content we take in, the foods we eat, or our physical surroundings, our influences contribute to our level of joy. We radiate from within when we make long-term changes that prioritize our peace and positivity.
Research has proven that giving back is one of the best ways to improve our mood. From giving genuine compliments to volunteering, making a difference in the lives of others is one fundamental way to increase joy. The feeling we get when we bring joy to others returns to us almost instantly.
Life is filled with responsibilities, but to experience joy, we must carve out time to find and do the things we love. Think back to your hobbies as a child or discover something brand new. Give yourself permission to explore activities beyond work and home and create a living legacy that will bring you pride and joy.
Dominique Kelly
Very insightful! I find the smallest things bring me the greatest joy!