In times like these, joy can feel elusive—almost inappropriate. When the world is unraveling, when justice feels fragile, and when grief surrounds us, it may seem selfish to smile, to rest, to savor even a moment of peace.

But I believe joy is sacred.
Joy is not a denial of suffering—it’s a refusal to be consumed by it.

I had a conversation with a participant a while back after I shared a post about rest being a form of resistance to what is happening in our country. She mentioned something that’s stayed with me: she had read that joy can also be a form of resistance.

She’s right.
And this past Friday, during a Loving-Kindness Meditation I offered, I spoke about just this—how joy, compassion, and connection are not luxuries. They are vital. They help us stay human.
You can watch or listen here:

When we choose joy, we reclaim our humanity.
When we choose rest, we resist the narrative that our worth is tied to our output.
When we choose to sing, dance, meditate, or simply breathe with intention—we plant seeds of hope in ground that feels barren.

💛 Joy is not a luxury.
It is an act of resistance.
It is a healing balm.
It is a quiet revolution of the spirit.

So today, if joy finds you—welcome it.
And if you must, create it. Gently. Boldly. With full permission.

Because joy, too, is how we survive.
And how we remember who we truly are.

With heart,
💜 Deb