There are days when I struggle to find something interesting to write about. Today is not one of those days. Today I am struggling to just choose the one thing about “The Practice of Joy” that I think would be important, or relevant, or inspirational. But so many things are coming to mind for me today! So, I think it’s worth reflecting here as to why today is different than the days that I struggle to feel inspired to write?
I think it’s because we filled ourselves up with joy yesterday. And joy is transformational! And like we say about revelation, transformation is continuous.
While there are many moments and experiences from sorrow and grief, to seemingly mundane everyday events, to fun and fellowship that can transform us over and over again (if we pay attention!), deliberately practicing joy is an opportunity to boost the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins and to provide us with overall well-being. When we feel well, our capacity for creativity and curiosity is expanded.
Our physical, mental, and spiritual selves are inextricably linked. We can be intentional about the transformation of our whole selves. We can decide how we show up in the world, and how that affects others—what ideas and perceptions we share with them, how we allow them to share with us, how we become co-creative and inspirational together.
I am deeply grateful for all the participation and co-creation that happened this weekend. I’ve been doing this ministry thing for quite some time—from my 8 years as the Director of Religious Exploration to my current position as Spiritual Life Director, which I have been in for just about 7 years now. And I can’t think of anything that fills me with more joy than when I invite you all to participate in my wacky ideas, and you do, and joy abounds! We have created annual traditions at UUCL that are ways to practice joy and transform our lives. Think Milk and Cookie Communion (our own unique tradition), Blessing of the Backpacks, Blessing of the Animals, Water Communion, Flower Communion, Ancestors Rituals, and Founding Members Rituals. While we’ve done the Easter Bonnet thing before, it was not at this level of creativity. I think gathering the night before to design our bonnets together was a key part of the creative process. Thank you to Macy for organizing these opportunities for us to gather and thank you to Ken W for offering craft supplies! Together, we are creating more and more opportunities for the practice of joy. And hopefully you all feel good as you start your week. I know that I feel better this Monday than I did last Monday. I have more energy to face the inevitable ups and downs that will come my way this week.
Let us continue to practice joy together as a way to sustain healthy spiritual and emotional health, our relationships, and our ability to work for justice in the world.
Here’s one more joy related thing I want to share with you: an absolutely lovely poem I read today.