Tuesdays w/TJae: Find Your Joy

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Hey there, Reader!

Actively searching for joy. . .

I promise Reader - every person I've asked, in the last few weeks, the standard "How are you doing?" has paused long and hard before responding. Frankly, so have I. If I have bubbles handy, I blow them. If not, I inhale and exhale deeply as if I do have bubbles.

I know that there seems to be more and more each day to deal with and it's exhausting. The antidote - or at least one of the antidotes - is joy. I've been thinking a lot about ancestral practices of marginalized communities. I think about dancing and singing and finding community and deep, full, belly laughs. Even in the midst of chaos and confusion - we must still find reasons and ways to be joyful.

My friend Linnea replaces the cliche "How are you?" with "What brought you joy today?" And I love this question. I've found myself asking that more frequently. And still, sometimes there is the long pause. It's as if people feel guilty for still having joy while the world is burning down - while surrounded by so much suffering . . .

Our fear, anger, frustration, exhaustion is fuel for those who wish to continue creating harmful conditions. When we are tired, afraid, angry, we make poor decisions. We grow apathetic. We stop looking for solutions. Joy keeps us energized and creative.

I'm not inviting you to bypass your feelings or to give way to "toxic positivity." I'm asking you not to give in to despair. I'm asking you to find moments of joy and allow them to refuel your spirit, your energy, your resolve and your fight.

If you're willing - please share what's bringing you joy. I'll share the responses on The Quiet Rebel IG and possibly LinkedIn, too.

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Theater Talkback Join us this Sunday, March 16th for a Bubbles and Bubbly themed Audience Conversation following the matinee performance of "the ripple, the wave that carried us home" at Stages Houston. Be sure to use the Promo code: M16 to save 20%. Purchase Tickets

Next month, I am honored to curate a class for Jung Center Houston anchored in the work of Dr. Clint Smith. He's their guest for the upcoming Spring Benefit. If your schedule is open on April 30, 6-8pm, I hope you will join the conversation.

In case you're new to Tuesdays w/ TJae, you should know that you won't receive emails from me every Tuesday, or on any particular Tuesday - but always (well, normally) on a Tuesday. As a child, whenever we'd visit my Grandpa James, he'd end the visit by saying "See you Tuesday," no matter when we were scheduled to see him again. So this newsletter is part nod to James Rivers, and part nod to my love of alliteration.

See you Tuesday!
TJae