Cultivating Joy, Coming Alive.

Photo by Lori McKinney

By Kiran Singh Sirah

It’s been a tough few months for many - due to the injustices and stark inequalities in our world, far and near our homes.
 
I’m reminded however in amongst the broken stories of our world, for those of us who can, we need to cultivate joy, to use our artistry, to help us and others, come alive. Through this, we can help heal, repair, connect, and shift stories for the change we wish to see in the world.
 
Shortly, I'll be returning to West Virginia for a three-day "we need to talk" deep-dive storytelling, arts, and creative changemakers convening I have the pleasure of co-designing and facilitating, which is themed around stories of “home,” what we bring, what brings us joy, and what kind of home we’re imagining for the health and well-being of our community's future.

A topic, as friends will know, that is close to my heart, and core to the essence of storytelling and narrative reflection.

Returning to an idea a friend reminded me of recently when we say we’re in traffic, we have to remember we are the traffic. In the same way, the world isn't separate from us; we are always integral to it.

We don’t come into the world; we emerge from it.

And as inspiring artist-activist Arundhati Roy suggests:

“Another world is not only
possible, she is on her way.
On a quiet day, I can hear her
breathing.”

*Photo by Lori Mckinney- 2:00 am at World Culture Festival. The last time I was in West Virginia. When my friend Lori encouraged me to stay up late (which I don't normally do) and join an all-night community jam, to put a bit more play and joy into my work-life balance!