“Live in joy even though you know all the facts.”
It’s been a hell of a new year already. Trump and his cohorts have invaded Venezuela, killed Renee Good, yanked elderly undressed men from their homes into the snow, terrified thousands of Americans whose skin color has become a liability, blathered incoherently on the world stage, insulted countries and their citizens who have been nothing but helpful.
Here in Helena, I am mourning the loss of a coworker, seven years my junior, who was just getting into the swing of a vibrant retirement. Which has intensified my awareness of just how many younger people are passing away. Passing from this earth and their loved ones and the places they filled in their communities and families. Gone but for a short-lived burst of commemoration. For sure, I’m staring down my own long corridor of eternity.
To dull my angst, I’ve started watching “The West Wing” from start to finish again for, say, maybe the fifth time. In the evenings, I love to keep company with President Bartlett and Josh Lyman and Leo McGarry and Sam Seaborn and C J. Cregg and Charlie Young. Really most all of the characters. They are flawed and articulate and principled and compassionate. Yes, I know they are imaginary friends. But, damn, they set the bar for human behavior high. And to my eyes, in this month, this year of horrors, these idealized public servants live with joy and dignity and honor. And—for their era—they and their TV creators—knew the facts.
So what began as escape has morphed into purpose. A mission. My goal: to know the facts—horrific as they currently are, as frightening as they can be—and straighten my back, clear my mind, and live in joy and celebration and rigorous thinking and steady caring. As opposed to depression and avoidance and inactivity. As opposed to starting gloomy conversations that have no where to go except to deepen our darkness. Or heading to bed too early, seeking sleep’s forgetfulness.
Then, as great good luck would have it, my friend Davina (lately of our trip to India) sent me the quotation above and in doing so, gave my fuzzy intentions order and backbone. And after bugging Google for the quote’s origins, this came up:
The quote “Live in joy, in love, even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled…” is attributed to Gautama Buddha.
It is frequently cited as being part of the Dhammapada (Chapter 15, Verse 197-200), a collection of sayings of the Buddha, often focused on finding inner peace and joy regardless of external circumstances.
Key aspects of this teaching include:
- Context: It emphasizes maintaining an internal state of happiness (or “joy”) and compassion, even when surrounded by negativity, illness, or conflict.
- The Path: The verse encourages looking within, being still, and letting go of fear and attachment to find “the sweet joy of the way”.
- Interpretation: It is often interpreted as a reminder to choose joy as a daily decision rather than waiting for circumstances to improve.
The phrase is sometimes summarized or interpreted in modern contexts as “Live in joy even though you know all the facts” to mean finding joy while being fully aware of the suffering and harsh realities of the world.
Isn’t AI a thing of wonder!!
For me, living in joy means to quiet my gut and—somehow especially important—stand up straight and walk confidently. Look folks in the eye and smile. Choose to talk about the political scene periodically without moaning or wringing my hands. Instead naming what is happening for what it REALLY is. And miss no opportunities to laugh out loud; to share my friends’ and families’ love; to be stunned by and in awe of beauty in so many forms—great words, the mountains, the sky, art that engages my whole being; and to fall asleep in gratitude for comfort and safety.
My current intentions couldn’t be more simplistic. Living them is likely to be harder than I know. And whatever I do—this strategy or another—will not alter what is going so wrong and haywire in the world. Except . . . . Except that choosing to add joy to the world will, I believe, in the long run, give all of us a whisker more courage. And frighten the hell out of those who know only anger and hate.©
