Choosing Joy and Appreciating Our Elders
by Brittany Wright, Director of Operations
I’m going to be real with y’all—I’ve been feeling very discouraged and unmotivated lately. Waking up on November 6th and seeing how this country views Black women was… disheartening, to say the least. The future sometimes feels so uncertain and, if I’m honest, a bit terrifying. The cultural shifts we’re experiencing right now make the social justice movement of 2020—and the progress we’ve fought for since—feel like they happened decades ago.
To cope, I’ve been doing what I can to fill my cup and take care of myself. One way I do that is by connecting with the people I love. A few weeks ago, on a Friday afternoon, I decided to call my favorite person in the world: my Nana. Our biweekly check-ins are a ritual I look forward to, and that day, her words were exactly what I needed to hear.
A little backstory on Nana: she was born in 1940, in a small town outside Little Rock, to parents of Black, White, and Indigenous backgrounds. Needless to say, she’s seen and experienced more than I can imagine. She’s one of the strongest, wisest people I know and deserves so much credit for shaping the woman I am today (shoutout to Mom and Dad too!). When Nana speaks, I listen.
As I shared my feelings with her, I left that conversation feeling so loved, seen, heard, and cared for. Whew—when I say I hit the jackpot with my Nana, I mean it! She told me something that’s been ringing in my head ever since:
“Brittany, remember who you are. Things are hard, and life will always have hardships, but finding joy is a decision you have to make. No matter what is going on in the world, you are in control of your life, your emotions—all of it. You give no man control over your life; you are on this earth for a reason and have a purpose, so get to doing it.”
Her words made me think a lot about how much influence we allow the external world to have over us—our thoughts, decisions, and even our sense of self. In a world filled with conflicts and hardships, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and let external pressures dictate our priorities. Acknowledging these struggles is important—they’re real and significant. But I’ve also realized how essential it is to reclaim our inner clarity and agency.
This reflection also led me to think about joy. Choosing joy, especially in hard times, is a radical act. It’s not about denying reality; it’s about embracing the full spectrum of our experiences. It takes courage to seek joy when grief feels all-consuming or challenges seem insurmountable. But by doing so, we honor our resilience and capacity to keep moving forward.
Here are a few simple ways I’ve been choosing joy:
- Daily Gratitude Practice: I’ve started my mornings by listing three things I’m grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal—celebrating both the big and small—helps shift my focus from what’s wrong to what’s right.
- Seeking Connection: I find so much joy in spending time with my people. A heartfelt conversation or shared laugh can do wonders for my mindset and attitude.
- Engaging in Activities I Love: Whether it’s reading a wild fiction book, working on a puzzle, or dancing around my apartment, doing something that brings me peace can be a powerful antidote to despair.
- Being Present: I have a tendency to think too far ahead, planning for things to go wrong and worrying about the future. I’ve found that mindfulness activities help me slow down and fully experience the moment I’m in. Quick breathing exercises or a three-minute guided meditation can ground me and bring me back to the now.
As I thought about writing this blog post, I’ll admit I struggled. Most of what I had to say felt like doom and gloom. But I’m forever grateful for the loved ones in my life, like my Nana, who help center me and bring much-needed perspective.
So, I hope you make the decision to choose joy—not as a denial of your struggles, but as an act of defiance against despair. In moments like these, joy can become our most powerful tool for resilience and healing.
I’ll leave you with these final thoughts. A few years ago, I heard an African proverb that stuck with me: “When an Elder dies, a library burns to the ground.” So, while you are choosing joy, take some time to enjoy and appreciate the wisdom of the libraries of those who have come before you.
*photo of Baby Brittany and Nana