People are angry.

Deservingly so, in many cases.

And they’re sad.

Also, justified.

Lonely. Unhappy. Uncomfortable. Peeved. Scared.

Some are talking about it, some are bottling it up.

For all of time - by the way. None of this is new. But, everyday people, this is what we do.

The most important thing to do, in these trying times - and they are always trying times, is to find an excuse to be joyful.

Be happy.

Or just a little happier, even.

Smile.

Say hi to somebody. Call an old friend. Stretch out with the dogs on the couch.

Don’t tell anybody else about it.

Or tell everybody you see about it.

Joy is infectious.

It’s free, for the most part, too.

It’s eternally in short supply and yet, completely abundant.

I think I’m still shook up by the ironic/skeptical watch I gave to that alternate halftime show (shoutout Pat Finnerty).

Some people - and some platforms - get joy from monetizing grievances.

There’s a guy, Lee Brice, who sang some whiny BS about “It ain’t easy being country / In this country nowadays.”

He’s hung up, and sad, and angry, about a whole bunch of stuff that used to bring him joy but he can’t do anymore (but actually can still very much do, but he doesn’t think he can, and it’s very unclear why).

They have a platform, they have resources, they sing about the loss of said platforms and resources and freedoms, all while having platforms and resources and the freedoms to express themselves and - just stop.

The only credit I’ll give him is that at least he knows some things that bring him joy (even if he’s inexplicably confused about his ability to enjoy said things).

The world is confusing to a lot more people than Brice is my point.

I don’t know what to tell them.

So I’m just going to smile and remind you of this:

Joy is an act of resistance.

They can’t take that away from me.

Or you.

Or us.