Aug 22

Aug 22 Finding the Fun in Joy - By Curtis Bryant

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"Being alive is too much of a privilege, to spend time trying to be invisible." is the sermon, that jumped out of my mouth, as I ugly cried on FaceTime, during an intense tarot reading with my homegirl last Sunday. What she didn't know, was that the realization, we both met at in this moment, was one that I had to come face to face with the Sunday prior. We both share the fear of being happy. This is something, which I think a lot of people fear honestly.

As my homegirl and I both represent communities in which, people like us are dying or killing themselves every single day. It is clear, that not basking in joy is so selfish. No matter your gender, pronoun or nationality, what a privilege to be alive, talented, able bodied and yet feel like happiness doesn't belong to you.

Social media and the entertainment industry, ignites pressure to show off. While most of us are shaking in our Wrangler jeans, to express any type of joy. With joy comes haters. With joy comes more responsibility and sadly enough, joy also means feeling comfortable to experience happiness while the people around you may not. It's like "when is joy fun?"

I've comprised a list of, the moments or the ways in which I believe joy becomes fun. I hope that this list will, inspire you to congratulate yourself or hold yourself accountable to experience joy more often. Please don't be afraid to share this list with others. Hold each other accountable. Hang it in your room, in your office, or wherever you call your happy place.

1. Joy is fun when you acknowledge that you are actually happy.

2. Joy is fun when you aren't afraid to speak about being happy.

3. Joy is fun when you actually have people you can share your happiness with safely.

4. Joy is fun when you take care of your body.

5. Joy is fun when you take care of your mental health

6. Joy is fun when your family is happy. Not perfect but happy.

7. Joy is fun when you love where you work.

8. Joy is fun when you create.

9. Joy is fun when you're in love.

10. Joy is fun when you enjoy your own company.

And 11. Joy is fun when you're alive to tell it.

When is joy fun for you?

Please stay in touch ( @curtisbryant_ via Instagram ) and let me know if there any other moments, you think I missed. I would love to hear when you feel the most joy.