Joy

April 21, 2026

Joy seems like such a ridiculous thing to talk about when the world seems to be filled with so much that is despairing.

But joy is something to be cultivated. To be sought in amongst the thick weeds of lies, immorality, indecency, visible corruption, and violence that we’re witnessing and experiencing in 2026.

Joy isn’t the same as happiness. We can have a deep inner joy even when we don’t feel happy. In fact, we can feel sad, angry or a host of other emotions while holding joy inside.

In one of Wendell Berry’s poems, he writes “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts,” [1]. Today I’m suggesting that we follow Berry’s suggestion. That we consider what’s going on in the world but still seek to find places of joy.

To cherish joy in our hearts, holding onto the moments of joy, peace, tenderness, peace, sacred presence, and love, as we’re able.

I’m not inviting you into forced happiness or toxic positivity. Joy is something that comes naturally. It doesn’t come when we're being fake, pretending to be happy, putting on false smiles.

Each of us will experience joy differently, [2]. Lydia Sohn invites us to follow the breadcrumbs of joy, [3] while Mary Oliver says in her poem Don't Hesitate that “joy is not made to be a crumb,” [4]. In Mindful, another of Oliver’s poems, she indicates that she was born for joy, [5].

How might we follow breadcrumbs of joy, or possibly even live an inner life that is permeated by joy? How can we be open to the idea that we, like Mary Oliver were born for joy?

Potawatomi botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer says that the earth gives her joy and other gifts every day and invites us to respond to earth’s offerings by using our own gifts and dancing for the renewal of the world, [6].

Several soul friends have expressed to me of their deep love of and spiritual connection to the earth, and that they feel fully at home, fully alive in nature.

Nature is where they experience joy with its awe-inspiring natural wonders—spring buds, autumn leaves, the scents of trees and flowers, hearing birdsong, watching the flights of butterflies, feeling mist on their faces, and so much more. Some, like Kimmerer, even joyfully dance in response.

Joyce Rupp, the Catholic sister and author quotes an ancient Chinese proverb as one way to open ourselves to joy: “Write your sorrows in sand and etch your joys in stone,” [7].

Rupp suggests that joy can be etched deeper into our souls by mindfully “noticing something, however small, that prompts wonder and gratitude,” [8].

This is further supported by the work of Christina Feldman who says “there is a powerful link between mindfulness and joy and the effect it has upon perception,” [9].

The connection between joy and gratitude is fleshed out further by Benedictine monk and author David Steindl-Rast who has devoted his life to encouraging people to be grateful. He says that gratefulness is the root of joy, that joy springs from gratefulness, [10]. And because of this, a gratefulness practice can assist us in cultivating joy in our lives.

Our own joy can be contagious, It can bring out joy in others.

I believe, like Anne Lamott says that “joy is medicine,” [11].

And so, cherishing joy is an important practice not only for our own souls but also can provide nourishment and sustenance for others.

It can be medicine for the world.

The spiritual practice on the Soundcloud audio below involves reflecting on times of joy that we’ve experienced, [11].

Afterwards you may want to journal, sing, draw, dance or find another way to express what you've experienced during the spiritual practice.

1. Wendell Berry, “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” All Poetry, https://allpoetry.com/poem/12622463-Manifesto--The-Mad-Farmer-Liberation-Front-by-Wendell-Berry, 1973.

2. Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies, Prayers, Poems and Meditations for Staying Human, Random House Pub., New York, NY, 2024, 164.

3. Lift Every Voice: Contemplative Writers of Color Podcast, A conversation between Claudia Love Mair, Christine Valters Paintner and Lydia Sohn based on Lydia Sohn’s book, Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving, https://abbeyofthearts.com/lift-every-voice/here-a-spirituality-of-staying/, January 1, 2026.

4. Janice Falls, Don’t Hesitate by Mary Oliver, Heart Poems: How Poetry can Speak to You, https://janicefalls.wordpress.com/2019/12/15/dont-hesitate-by-mary-oliver/, December 15, 2019.

5. Christine Mackenzie-Janson, Mindful-Mary Oliver, Mindfulness Association, https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/words-of-wonder/mindful-mary-oliver/?srsltid=AfmBOooFhjQWaIpsnPAPKlHumw6qgNo8LeSYKFSB30FpjesLxSspucIM, July 8, 2018.

6. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis, MN, 2013, 384.

7. Joyce Rupp, Return to the Root: Reflections on the Inner life, Sorin Books, Notre Dame, IN, 2021, 55.

8. Rupp, Return to the Root, 56.

9. Ibid. Rupp is quoting Christina Feldman, Boundless heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity, Shambhala, Berkeley, CA, 2017.

10. David Steindl-Rast Quotes, Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4182.David_Steindl_Rast

11. This practice is based on ideas from myself and several sources including Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies, 169, 170, Lift Every Voice Podcast, https://abbeyofthearts.com/lift-every-voice/here-a-spirituality-of-staying/

12. Anne Lamott, Getting Our ‘Joice Back, https://substack.com/home/post/p-186644283, February 2, 2026.

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This blog is dedicated to the memory of Maureen Fowler, a beloved spiritual mentor.