Finding My Inner Joy and Connection Through Music

What does joy sound like?
What does joy feel like?
What do joy taste and smell like?
Close your eyes and say the word - "joy". Doesn't that feel good?

Now, I know you might have just whispered it the first time. Can you shout the word joy for me? Just once, and really mean it.

What comes to your mind? Most importantly, how does it make you feel on the inside?

With a lifelong condition, I look for joyful moments

If you took a chance with this exercise in any way, congratulate yourself. Regardless of what someone else may think of you, you did something for yourself.

Considering the joyful moments in your life is important. The small tasks we do to function as human beings take energy, and we still have to will ourselves to do them.

The work of our own care is an obligation we make to ourselves. It is essential to our goals of maintaining our health in the face of our chronic conditions. It takes work and, often, I feel like we need joy in our lives to get to the next moment.

Music is my joy

I came to the realization that I want to prioritize at least 1 moment of joy in my life. Music is one source of joy for me. Right now, I am into soul records. Sitting back and putting on a record from the 1970s is my 'me' moment.

I started by looking for playlists of spiritual jazz and free jazz on my Apple Music account. I found familiar popular names like Stevie Wonder, and I know a little about John Coltrane. But I was opened up to wonderful musicians like Don Cherry, Pharaoh Sanders, Henry Threadgill, Horace Tapscott, Andy Bey, Leon Thomas, and many others.

How does music support my mental health?

What excites me so much about this music is the inherent nature of joy in the sound. These are records that allow me to listen, to tune in to the words and to myself. They spark the emotional feeling in my chest. The butterflies in my stomach.

Sometimes, the songs move to tears. Most of all, they make me think and take account of all the wonderful things about being alive. In spite of everything else that I have going on and trying to manage my mental health, this is my joy time.

This practice isn't about being happy all the time

Pure joy transports me from feeling dull and lethargic to being excited about life, no matter how big or small the moment.

This practice of joy isn’t about being 'happy' for me. It is about planning and doing things that bring me joy. I am the shaper of my own joy. Trust me, this work is hard - especially when you are faced with family, friends, and co-workers who all are trying to survive in a world that makes people stressed out.

Having inner joy absolutely does not get rid of our real circumstances. It gives us a choice in how we navigate them.

Let me know some of your moments of joy. Be well, and look forward to hearing from you.