The Power of Joy in the Midst of Despair

On resilience, community, and choosing joy when the world feels heavy

It’s been a hell of a year, hasn’t it? Remarkably, it’s January.

Like many of you, my emotions have swung between volcanic anger and crushing despair. Recent events—political, cultural, personal—have tested even the hardiest among us.

I’ve felt this particular combination once before in my life: anger paired with despair. I’ll admit it—my expectations for people to be rational and thoughtful are low. I battle that cynicism every day. You should hear the arguments in my head. They’re loud and nasty, rivaling any Real Housewives episode.

Seeking Joy as a Survival Skill

To quiet the noise, I actively seek out joy. Not as denial—but as resilience.

A regular source for me is Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. Every viewing brings something new and delightful. I use Marco Polo to stay connected with my family and dear friends. Every week, I tell my accountability partner that she is a ray of sunshine. She is.

Joy, I’ve learned, doesn’t arrive accidentally. You have to make space for it.

Unexpected Community at Sea

I’m currently on Day 9 of lecturing aboard a Carnival Cruise voyaging around the Caribbean—my first time on this cruise line. Before boarding, I did what many of us do: research. I read about raucous partying, celebrity endorsements, and water parks crowning the tops of ships.

As an introverted, mostly sober, pale Irish woman, I was nervous.

Those worries were unfounded.

This may be the most joyous, welcoming, and vibrant group of people I’ve spent time with in a long while. They fully embrace theme nights. They hide rubber duckies throughout the ship—similar to the Jeep thing in Florida and elsewhere. They decorate their cabin doors like it’s Christmas season, 365 days a year.

What I found wasn’t chaos—it was community.

Joy in Learning, Connection, and Kindness

I worried my lectures might feel like forced learning, with minimal attendance. The opposite happened. People showed up engaged, curious, and enthusiastic. Some even—gulp—took photos with me.

One attendee gave me a tiny rubber shark. Another, who looked suspiciously like Santa and may in fact be St. Nick (it is his off-season), handed me a gold coin declaring that I was a “nice person.”

The enthusiasm is palpable. The happiness is infectious. It’s lovely.

Joy Doesn’t Cancel Grief—It Coexists

Joy and happiness don’t cancel out anger and despair. I believe nurturing all of our emotions allows us to feel each one more fully. Think Inside Out. Exactly that.

Some may say, “It’s too late for joy—we’ve crossed the Rubicon.” I don’t disagree. My line was crossed months ago. But when I experience the warmth of others, or am embraced by total strangers with kindness and compassion, it reminds me of what I’m so angry about.

And why I’m willing to fight for it.

Joy isn’t a distraction. It’s a reminder of what’s worth protecting.

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#MentalHealth #Resilience #Leadership #FindingJoy #Community #Empathy