Finding joy in the midst of chaos

How do you feel about engaging in joyful activities, like creating art, when there is so much pain and chaos around us?

Something shifted inside of me when I read about George Floyd’s death in May. Racism is a deep soul sickness that is very much thriving in America today. Since then, I have done a lot of personal reflection and reading to educate myself, a process that is ongoing and lifelong.  During those first few months following Mr. Floyd’s death, I was reluctant to share my artwork on social media. It felt like a distraction from the more serious posts I was seeing.

Now, though, I am realizing how important it is to engage in activities that bring you joy.  Here’s what I've found:

Engaging in a joyful activity, like creating art, is an act of resistance. Finding joy is challenging when the news is anxiously reporting the many horrors in the world. Doing something joyful is a way to push back against fear-mongers. It is a way to recognize and honor the beauty that is around us even though there is pain and fear and hurt swirling around us too. I realize I am speaking from a place of privilege because my life and my circumstances allow me to look away from time to time while I seek out activities to balance the chaos. Not everyone has that luxury.

Also, by sharing colorful images on my social media accounts, hopefully, I am brightening up my little corner of the world and all who encounter it. A friend, a first responder in a hospital setting, shared that seeing one of my images on Instagram during a work break gave her a smidge of reprieve from the relentless pressure in her work environment.  She said it was like a breath of fresh air.  And so, I decided to keep posting my art.

Engaging in a joyful activity, like creating art, is an act of self-care at the deepest soul level. Doing what is important to you is an acknowledgement that you recognize your own inherent value: you are worth it! Your personal wellness needs to be a priority. Ignoring this advice is an express train to burn-out. The airline attendant’s advice is right: you need to put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others.

Engaging in a joyful activity, like creating art, gives you something better to do than endlessly watching the news or scrolling social media. As a Libra, I crave balance! I cannot stare at a computer all day. I should not sit on the couch and read all day. I do not want to listen to bad news all day. Heck, I can’t even stand all day at the easel.  My max there is about 2 hours.  After that, I need to switch it up. Change the scenery. Give my eyes a break. If you need some balance in your life, mark your creative time on your ‘to-do’ list or your calendar and guard your time fiercely because I guarantee that any creative activity mindfully done is better than mindlessly absorbing bad news.

Engaging in a joyful activity, like creating art, showers you with positive energy. I am very sensitive to the energy or vibes other people put out into the world.  It is hard for me to just let go of, or ignore negative energy when I encounter it.  I need to avoid it like the plague (or like the pandemic), or balance it with a whole lot of positive, nurturing energy, like those I get by doing creative activities.

In these vexing times, perhaps even more so now than ever before, I invite you to engage in a joyful activity.  For the world. For those you live with. And most importantly for your soul.

God cherishes you!

Photo Credit: Mike Petrucci on Unsplash