On March 20th, author and Marvel comic writer Gabby Rivera gave a talk in Bazarsky Lecture Hall in which she spoke about joy. In celebration of this, the Mosaic staff has written about the things that bring them joy:
By utilizing what gives us joy as the basis of her talk on identity politics in the United States, Gabby Rivera effectively grounded an emotionally fraught subject in the stability of our humanity. The reality is that joy is a part of all of our identities. Joy is not debatable! So, personally, I find joy in the things that release the tension of everyday stress in my life. I get joy from looking up at the stars to contemplate the vastness of the universe that I exist in. I experience joy when I realize that I have unintentionally begun dancing to a piece of music that I have never heard before. I feel joy when I am babysitting and the child babbles at me in an unintelligible but also unmistakably happy garble. Joy is something that I feel when I start to notice the beginnings of my summer freckles peeking out from my cheeks in the early spring. And lastly, joy happens when I forget all of the things that I have to do and do all of the things I want to do instead! – Hannah Lussier
I try and find the joy in everything I do, because I think joy is an important part of life. I surround myself with people who bring me joy and make time for the things that bring me joy. I am my most joyful self when I am laughing with family and friends, watching a good movie, or enjoying a mountain of french fries. I think J.R.R. Tolkien had it right when he said “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – Kitty Williams
I find joy surrounded by boxes of pizza, good friends, and decks of Uno cards, and in the stomach ache I get from laughing too hard (but in all honesty it might be all the pizza…) – Kerry Hayes
Sharing dank memes, bougie Vines, and everyday shenanigans with my best friends at Salve brings me joy. – Caroline Connick
Spring’s arrival brings me joy, it’s getting warmer and it’s even starting to smell like spring, like fresh mulch and wet grass, spring has sprung! – Emma O’Grady
If I had to think of the happiest moment possible, I would be walking on a bike trail, with my dog, in a t-shirt and shorts, on the sunniest day of the year, eating chicken wings, and listening to the Celtics game. Given, those aren’t exactly all possible at once, but if it were I can’t imagine a more joyful moment. Maybe one with my family, I should probably add them in there somewhere. Yeah, just leave me my family, dogs, sports, and chicken wings and I’ll be all set. – Sarah DeWolfe
Being surrounded by happy people brings me joy. But I also enjoy going for hikes when I am surrounded by no people. I am happiest on top of a mountain with a breeze blowing through my sweat-drenched hair and a fresh sunburn forming on my face. Books and puppies also bring me loads of happiness. – Michelle Karparis
What brings me joy is playing music with my friends. Getting some good people together on a lazy day to make music is both relaxing and exciting. Creating music that is never replicated or heard by others is a unique experience that brings friends together. – Henry Nickerson
