Joy is Resistance
by Jenny Block
It might seem like the hardest thing in the world right now, feeling and spreading joy. And yet, it could not be any more important. Fear is a powerful weapon. But joy is its strongest deflector. When we are joyful, our hearts are too full for fear to take hold.
When we spread joy, we strengthen joy’s ability to hold space when we need it. Joy shared is joy multiplied. When we are joyful and share that joy, we are resisting the hate and the fear and those who want to steal our power.
JOY IS SELF-CARE
When we are joyful we are healing ourselves. Just existing right now can be painful. We are constantly bombarded with news that breaks our hearts and tears at the very fibers of our being. Joy is the balm that can soothe the wounds that the world is inflicting on us and gives up the ability to rebuild our resolve and walk in our power.
JOY IS HOW WE CAN CARE FOR OTHERS
When we share and spread our joy we are emboldening others to plant and grow seeds of joy in their own lives. It may be harder for some people than others to be joyful. We can help those who are having a hard time by reminding them of things there are to be joyful about and by embodying joy ourselves. The best thing we can be in times like these is a strong example.
JOY IS LIKE GARLIC TO A VAMPIRE
It makes them recoil. The goal of hate is to make us terrified. When they tell us they are going to hurt us for simply being who we are, they are hoping we will just stop being who we are. Instead, we should do the exact opposite.
JOY HAS NO LIMIT, NO EXPIRATION DATE, NO SOLE OWNER
No one – no one – can stop us from being joyful. They can make it hard – really, really hard – but they can’t stop us. Bad guys always want the good folks to just roll over and say, “Ok. I give up.” So, don’t give up. And don’t give in. Fighting back can look like a pride parade – or a ship full of lesbians and LGBTQ+ women living out loud or dressing up in rainbows and taking to the streets or simply laughing with friends.
JOY IS RESISTANCE!
It’s my favorite tool of the resistance in fact. Share the memes. Laugh at their ridiculousness. Share their foibles. Correct their errors as loudly and publicly as possible. Laugh at them loudly and often and publicly. Don’t let anyone think for even a minute that we are taking them and their agenda seriously.
Let’s not surrender. Instead, let’s spread joy. Get together with family and friends. Don’t talk about how things are falling apart. Talk about how much we are all coming together. Put your time and energy into telling those who are fighting the good fight how amazing we think they are.
Send joyful postcards to supportive politicians. Heck, send them to friends and family and remind them how much good is in the world. Stand with pride. Stand with joy. Share the truth. Remind them that we will speak for ourselves and our brothers and sisters. Remind them that light begets light and we are the light.