Last night I was truly convinced that having joy and fun is NECESSARY. I was invited to a Trans Joy event at a bowling arcade, hosted by someone who’d gone to my daughter’s high school. I knew I’d be one of the oldest there, but allies were welcome and that sounded like where I should be. I offered to make decorated cookies (hearts with trans 🏳️⚧️ stripes) and my host was thrilled. Big Mom Energy ™️ is what I’ve got going for me. Everyone raved about the cookies, I had some good chats, and some friendly people invited me to bowl with them, which I did until my shoulder benched me. I’m so glad I said yes to the invitation because if we can’t feel some joy once in a while, what is even the point?! TL:dr SAY YES TO JOY.
I love what you wrote here Tara, and feel its so true. I’m also deeply worried about the state of our country and about the rising tensions between nations. Scary stuff all around.
In addition to all youve said in your posts about the importance of fun as fuel, I also have an additional reason for having fun, which is more religious or spiritual. In my view, the Creator has allowed us the freedom choose and learn to overcome wrongdoing—evil, if you will. And this is for a very wise and loving purpose. Not only that, when in our freedom we succumb to evil (whether as well meaning perpetrators or as victims), the Divine one who made the world does not just watch, but gets actively involved. I’m a Christian, anthroposophical Christian, and I believe God suffers with us (both perpetrators and victims) and responds with sacrificial love and Grace in order to make it possible that the errors (or sin) were allowed to succumb to, may serve a higher creative purpose. Our suffering and pain is held within a Loving Joyfilled Plan that that—if we choose— can make suffering and pain into powerful creative moral forces for a higher form of goodness. A Christian may say that this is how the New Jerusalem is created. When we’re filled with this spiritual view, we are filled with joy even while we suffer and fight wrongdoing. I see it as my sacred duty to connect daily to this higher plan, and to root myself in its joy, in the joy of God’s Plan for humanity. As St. Paul said, Christ Jesus went to the cross for Joy! The Sun is still shining even while there’s war, and this for me is a natural expression of a spiritual reality, that while we face problems and even evil, the Sun of God is shining around us, in us, and for us. I must root myself in this sunfilled joy each day, and carry this into the darkness. That is the actual reality of life (in my view) that there is a divine light shining in the darkness, waiting for us to find it, join it, and shine and shout it out! That why I must have some fun each day…to root myself in the joy of creation!
Tara, thanks for sharing these wise words from Heather. It's an excellent reminder that we must show up fully in our own lives in order to make any kind of difference in the world, and this starts with the small things. This is so easy to forget when we want to fix things.
It's so easy to forget! Especially when things start feeling hectic (which, I imagine, is why they go for the firehose of awful--so much all at once it overwhelms all reason).
Heather is such a gem. That whole interview lowers my blood pressure every time I watch it.
Hope you are doing well, finding ways to show up and make a difference. xo
Thank you. I live in Canada so I'm thankful for that (although we have our own set of worries) and am working on staying present for the small things that will affect and brighten my circle of influence.
Last night I was truly convinced that having joy and fun is NECESSARY. I was invited to a Trans Joy event at a bowling arcade, hosted by someone who’d gone to my daughter’s high school. I knew I’d be one of the oldest there, but allies were welcome and that sounded like where I should be. I offered to make decorated cookies (hearts with trans 🏳️⚧️ stripes) and my host was thrilled. Big Mom Energy ™️ is what I’ve got going for me. Everyone raved about the cookies, I had some good chats, and some friendly people invited me to bowl with them, which I did until my shoulder benched me. I’m so glad I said yes to the invitation because if we can’t feel some joy once in a while, what is even the point?! TL:dr SAY YES TO JOY.
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! (Also chuckling at Big Mom Energy™️ I am sure it was appreciated!). What an awesome thing--yes, we need so much more Trans Joy!
And this is one for the quote book: "If we can't feel some joy once in a while, what is even the point?!"
Thanks for sharing, friend. I've got a big smile on my face now. xo
I love what you wrote here Tara, and feel its so true. I’m also deeply worried about the state of our country and about the rising tensions between nations. Scary stuff all around.
In addition to all youve said in your posts about the importance of fun as fuel, I also have an additional reason for having fun, which is more religious or spiritual. In my view, the Creator has allowed us the freedom choose and learn to overcome wrongdoing—evil, if you will. And this is for a very wise and loving purpose. Not only that, when in our freedom we succumb to evil (whether as well meaning perpetrators or as victims), the Divine one who made the world does not just watch, but gets actively involved. I’m a Christian, anthroposophical Christian, and I believe God suffers with us (both perpetrators and victims) and responds with sacrificial love and Grace in order to make it possible that the errors (or sin) were allowed to succumb to, may serve a higher creative purpose. Our suffering and pain is held within a Loving Joyfilled Plan that that—if we choose— can make suffering and pain into powerful creative moral forces for a higher form of goodness. A Christian may say that this is how the New Jerusalem is created. When we’re filled with this spiritual view, we are filled with joy even while we suffer and fight wrongdoing. I see it as my sacred duty to connect daily to this higher plan, and to root myself in its joy, in the joy of God’s Plan for humanity. As St. Paul said, Christ Jesus went to the cross for Joy! The Sun is still shining even while there’s war, and this for me is a natural expression of a spiritual reality, that while we face problems and even evil, the Sun of God is shining around us, in us, and for us. I must root myself in this sunfilled joy each day, and carry this into the darkness. That is the actual reality of life (in my view) that there is a divine light shining in the darkness, waiting for us to find it, join it, and shine and shout it out! That why I must have some fun each day…to root myself in the joy of creation!
Tara, thanks for sharing these wise words from Heather. It's an excellent reminder that we must show up fully in our own lives in order to make any kind of difference in the world, and this starts with the small things. This is so easy to forget when we want to fix things.
It's so easy to forget! Especially when things start feeling hectic (which, I imagine, is why they go for the firehose of awful--so much all at once it overwhelms all reason).
Heather is such a gem. That whole interview lowers my blood pressure every time I watch it.
Hope you are doing well, finding ways to show up and make a difference. xo
Thank you. I live in Canada so I'm thankful for that (although we have our own set of worries) and am working on staying present for the small things that will affect and brighten my circle of influence.
Thank you, Tara. I shared this post with Jon and he appreciated it, too. Much needed reminders 💖