Joy
A Blissful Human Condition
With so many discouraging and depressing events going on around the world all the time, I felt this need to put forth some blissful references of the human spirit that I’ve encountered throughout the years. I hope they bring a bit of joy to your day.
A few weeks ago, I pushed out the Ten Frames #4 slideshow. It included a set of images of happy people linked by a common denominator. They were all dancing. In the photo above, the look of happiness seems to have been externally ignited, but converts to self-sustaining.
In searching through my archive, I began thinking about various circumstances where people would feel and show their joy. Of course, it’s actually unquantifiable since no two people feel every situation in the same way. What may be joyful for one is not necessarily joyful for another. Here’s my endeavor to spread contagious joy.
There’s a jingle from an old television commercial with the tagline “when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” Does someone else’s smile make you happy? Is your response more reflexive like yawning is? Or, consciously reciprocated?
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Over the years some passersby that saw me photographing, engaged with me in various ways. Above are those who offered a smile or other reaction. Whether doing so for the camera or it being their nature—the shared experience of a smile, laughter, or positive reply brought joy to my soul.
By the way. In an informal look-through my archive, women offered a smile or positive response on the streets of the city more so than men when they noticed my camera pointed in their direction.
Numerous groups of people with shared values and other traits in memory of special occasions, gathering in celebration. Doling out widespread communal joy.
References to childhood memories, or fictional characters that brought a smile or laughter to life can—and do offer joyful moments even in the saddest of times.
In 2022, many people experienced profound needs to reinvigorate their souls. House/Dance Music was a driving force to reconnect, reorganize and reenergize.
If this article was insightful for you, even a joy to read, please hit the like button to acknowledge its impact. While doing that, share with someone you know who would also find the joy in it.
I appreciate that you took time from your day to read it through.
Til next time…
Kenneth
Yes indeed. A joyful set. Cheers Kenneth
Great photos, Ken and so needed! Love this stuff :)