All the Joy!
“What brings you Joy?”, Hoda (former host on the Today Show) asked as she was scooping up my ice cream at the Van Leeuwen shop at Rockefeller Center. There was a pause before I responded “smiling faces”.
I love trying new ice cream flavors, and Van Leeuwen has been one of my go-to shops since I discovered the Honey Comb flavor at their Cobble Hill Brooklyn location many years ago. The new flavor, “Joy”, named after Hoda’s subscription platform is a vanilla based with graham cracker and sprinkle mix-ins; my kind of treat.
I wasn’t sure if Hoda would show up, but exited to try the new flavor, I lined up with several others near the corporate entrance of Rockefeller Center. Moments before the event began I saw Ann Hathaway entering the building. It was one of those classic New York moments. I was in line when a Black vehicle approached followed by a swarm of security and NYPD officers protecting the actress as she entered the iconic building.
It was a cool event. Hoda was as kind, and charismatic as she appeared on television. She took her time to speak with all of us. Stopping for pictures as she literally scooped up her signature flavor for us to try. There were also bracelets from the Little Words Project that spell out the word “joy”, as well as a trial subscription for the Joy app.
But, after the event was over, and my (very tasty) ice cream was finished, I kept pondering the question, “what brings you joy?”. I can’t even recall if anyone has ever asked me that before. There were plenty of times where people asked me, “what makes me happy?”. But an inquiry about joy is weightier… Joy can’t be brought and it’s not conditional based on circumstance.
My response, “smiling faces” is true. In big cities, it can be hard to be seen. I heard someone say they love New York because they could cry in the street and no one would bother them. I can relate. I have been so consumed with the hardiness of life, that I have cried on the train. Unintentionally. I tried fighting back the tears but it seemed like the more I tried to resist the tears the more they flowed, faster than I could wipe them away. Though occasionally, you can be walking down the street, sitting on the train, or even hoping into your car when someone (perhaps one you don’t even know) will flash you a warm smile. I love that, and try to do the same.
At other times, you are drawn in to the joy of others via proximity. I love seeing the newly married couples walking down the historic steps of city hall, seeing graduates in their caps and gowns, prom send offs, pickup basketball games in the park, cheering for the World Cup and other moments where being in the proximity of others happiness bring you joy.
Though the smiles of others is a pleasant experience, I must not neglect to engage in activities, behaviors and adapt mindsets that bring cause me to smile. And yes, having dessert is one of those experiences along with being active, quality time with friends and family, traveling and tasty bites - to name a few.
I am choosing joy. I’m being intentional for creating space for the recognition of joy in all circumstances. I want to hear from you… what are some things that bring you JOY?
