If you know me at all, you know I’ve called my grandcuties my “joy pills” since the oldest, Keira, was born in 2017. And it’s certainly been woven even more deeply into my life since embracing the Chair of Joy™ experience last fall, and becoming a Joyely® Ambassador in February.
I’ve highlighted the CoJ a bunch of times in the last year, along with lots of cool JOY-full resources, in my October Deb’s Picks and again in May’s Deb’s Picks — definitely check out Joyspotting with Ingrid Fettell Lee and the “Say Yes to Joy” program at grateful.org, to name a few of them.
Maybe cuz it’s summer and we’re in the midst of the Leo season (which is all about play and connecting with your inner child), I’ve continued to deepen and expand my own understanding of joy, and it’s been fun to see the different ways that joy is showing up, both in my own life and in the world. Here are a few, with my creative names for them:
— Poignant Joy — in one of my own CoJs, I was surprised that the joyful memory that came up was when my whole family gathered at a hospice to say goodbye to my 21-year-old nephew Max shortly before he died in 2021. We were all completely broken-hearted, yet there was a tender sweetness that we could come together to comfort him and each other at the end.
— Joy of Freedom — when I took my husband Peter through a CoJ, the memory that came up for him was cliff diving in his younger years… we even have a photo of him doing that! Of course, I had my own ideas about what that represented (exhilaration, fun, etc) but when I asked what he was feeling, the word that came up was “freedom”. Especially powerful since his body hasn’t felt so free and easy lately.
— Joy of Success — this one isn’t so surprising, but I thought it was captured so beautifully in the recent viral video of Tara Davis Woodhall celebrating her Olympic gold with her husband Hunter. You can just feeel their love and elation!
— Wonder-filled Joy (alternately Awe-struck Joy!) — for me, it’s the kind of take-your-breath-away experience that I get watching fireworks… they absolutely delight me! Or driving over the crest of a hill and seeing an extraordinary vista in front of you.
— Kamala Joy — in the election cycle, with Kamala Harris being described as the “joy warrior”! Truly something I never would have expected in the political arena.
— Activist Joy — “Joy doesn’t betray but sustains activism.” This quote of writer and activist Rebecca Solnit’s so captures the powerful joy I felt in my 15 years with 4thU Artivists. Definitely check out her terrific books and regular essays on Facebook.
What about you? What are creative, unexpected ways you’ve found JOY in your life or work?
So what does all of this ruminating on Joy have to do with the upcoming Full Moon in Aquarius?? As I mentioned above, the Sun has been in Leo since July 22nd so we’ve had that cosmic vibe of fun and playfulness running in the background until it moves into Virgo on August 22nd. Leo is also about creative self-expression and what could be more joyful than sharing those things you’re most passionate about?!
But before then, the Full Moon on August 19th will add the unique, quirky, humanitarian energy of Aquarius to the mix. My take on that is to use the creative, light-hearted (i.e. JOY-FULL) qualities of Leo to conjure up our own special ways to make a difference in the world. Certainly the joy that Kamala and Rebecca Solnit talk about is one way to do that.
If you want to read a wonderful, in-depth description of the powerful forces at play on this upcoming Full Moon, definitely check out this terrific article at the Yoga Journal (it’s from 2022, but the information is timeless).
Then, be sure to join us for my Aquarius/Leo Full Moon TeleMeditation on Monday, August 19at Noon — click HERE for dial-in details. And if you miss it, contact me and I’ll send you the recording, or look for it on Facebook & Instagram).
As always, my Deb’s Picks this month are a creative mix of all of the above, sprinkled with a few random offerings to help you energize your connection with your innate pool of joy and creativity!
1) THE BOOK OF JOY by the Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
This delightful book has been around for a while (2016), but one of my Joyely sisters recently turned me on to it and I’m so immersed in the fascinating, provocative conversation between these two iconic spiritual leaders. Talk about exploring the many faces of JOY! One of my favorites is the Buddhist concept known as mudita, or “sympathetic joy”. As described by the Dalai Lama, it refers to a person who is committed to practicing compassion and a genuine concern for others so that you can rejoice in others good fortune as deeply as your own. Truly a spiritual practice we might all embrace.
2) JOY & GRATITUDE w/Brene Brown and Oprah
This is another one that’s been around awhile (since 2013) and I’ve watched it a few times, just because I love both of these women! Brene introduced the idea of “foreboding joy”. Even though she studies difficult emotions for a living, she says “I think the most terrifying human experience is joy. It’s as if we believe that by truly feeling happiness, we’re setting ourselves up for a sucker punch.” So often, when everything is going beautifully, we can feel like we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. The remedy for that, says Brene, is to focus on gratitude, not fear. Watch this video to get the full story, then ramp up your gratitude practice!
3) THE POWER OF BEETHOVEN’S ODE TO JOY, 200 years later
Even if you’re not a classical music buff, I guarantee you’ve heard the finale to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, the famous “Ode to Joy.” This powerful article in the NY Times explains why this tune is so enduring… you’ve heard it in movies, at the Olympics, as fireworks are bursting overhead. And that’s because Beethoven intentionally made it easy to hum and hard to forget — the tune is in common time, with four beats per measure, unfolding in neat, four-bar phrases. Even people with no musical training can learn it almost immediately. The author beaks it down, piece by piece, and it’s fascinating. Just click on the image to dive in. Even the lyrics are full of joy and hope! Then check out this fabulous Ode to Joy flashmob. EnJOY it all!
4) INCITING JOY: ESSAYS — Krista Tippet’s interview w/author Ross Gay
Here’s an On Being podcast with poet/writer Ross Gay as he is interviewed by Krista Tippett. Their discussion is based on two of his books that are collections of essays: The Book of Delights and the more recently published Inciting Joy: Essays. In an era when divisive voices take up so much air space, Ross Gay offers a vital alternative: What might be possible if we turn our attention to what brings us together, to what we love? Listen to these two brilliant thinkers and writers talk about “adult joy”!
5) AWAKENING THE QUEEN RETREAT w/Michelle Atlas Oct. 27-30; Catskills, NY
This is the 3rd year that my magical friend Michelle has offered her QUEEN retreat and I can’t think of a more powerful way to reclaim your sovereign inner Queen (actually the theme of my Leo New Moon SisterCircle on August 5th). You’ll spend 3 nights and 4 days eating delicious chef-created 4-course meals, in a top-rated, elegant, rustic, artisan environment. All while you experiencing life-changing inner-work, soul nourishing sisterhood, and high-touch wise guidance. Get ready to reactivate your most joyful live and business.
I hope some of these Picks inspire you to find new ways to cultivate JOY in your life, and from that balanced space to spread it into the world. And as always, if you have any events or resources to share, I’d love to hear them!
With late Summer blessings,
Deborah