Prose writing sample: Create Space for Joy
Outside looking in? I’m always doing cool shit. This month, I went to a cocktail + bouquet class, petted an alpaca at happy hour, twerked in the Library of Congress for a costume ball, and stood in front of some hell-like inferno fire to twist around a melting glob of goo that eventually became a glass bowl.
I just be doing whatever, honestly. Although my heart swoons when people tell me I inspire them to explore, the motivation behind my exploration is not always as pure as it seems.
Dear reader, I’m doing this out of spite.
Life is good, but there are sour moments that fester and heartbreak that lingers.
And this is my revenge.
I will take my joy, by force. As much as the negatives of life have no trouble remembering my address, joy is a bit different. I have to make space for joy. Invite her in. And, occasionally, pull joy by the edges towards me. I stand at the edge of my life, fist-shaking, howling at the wind that I will have joy, despite it all. (or else)
Joy is often a natural consequence of engaging and exploring my curiosity. Curiosity opens the door to joy. Satisfying my curiosity keeps me from having a life filled with preventable regrets about things I always wanted to see, do, or try…and didn’t. It could be as simple as exploring a street I’ve never walked down, or as complex as learning how to build a lamp just because. It doesn’t matter. Even if I find out I don’t like it, I usually laugh in the process. Life can be hard. The world is on fire. Why not make space for joy despite it all?
For my birthday next month (October), I’m inviting you to create space for joy to find you by exploring your curiosity. What have you ever wanted to learn, do, try, or see? You probably can’t go to the moon, but focus on what can you do by yourself or with your loved ones (safely) in-person or virtually. Explore your curiosity then tell the world (and me) about it in my comments or find me on Instagram!
Will you join me in creating space for joy? Let’s go out and do whatever, together.