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Salty Musings

BY LIZ FRAZER

Finding the Joy

Writer's picture: Liz FrazerLiz Frazer

I know I’m not alone in this, but I was pretty wrecked after the election. I mean, like, I knew that some folks would vote the way they did but I didn’t believe a majority would. I was mad at myself for having hope (is there a sadder sentence in the world than that?).


I didn’t believe that this was who America was (is). I do now. And that’s fucking hard. Sorry, Maya Angelou, that I didn’t believe it when America showed me the first (kagillion) time(s).


And do you know what’s made the last few weeks bearable, and dare I say it... hopeful?


Working with my clients. Being in a safe space with other folx who were struggling. I love my clients, and I’ve never been more grateful for them than I have been these last few weeks.


Why is that? Because we found comfort and joy in coming together and making music. There was laughter, singing silliness (more so than usual lol), community... all the things that make life worth living.

3 people in colorful clothing singing joyfully, paint splashes in the background

Things we’ve been doing in lessons and classes recently:


  1. Laughing. A lot.


  2. Changing class plans and singing things that make us feel good.


  3. Had an impromptu in class karaoke sesh that ended with all of us belting out Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”


  4. Met up IRL for actual karaoke.


  5. Supported and encouraged each other.


  6. We created joy and connection at a time that felt hopeless. And it was *everything.*


Amid our devastation, and every single one of my clients was feeling it, we leaned on our little singing community. At a time when we wanted to just be alone and withdraw, we met up and sang anyway.


Leading up to the election, clients were feeling anxious and apologizing for not practicing (I don’t require practice from my clients, just fyi,) and they’re always so hard on themselves when they think they’re not practicing enough. I mean, I get it, but sometimes we just need to not sing for a bit. Sometimes we just need to get by, whatever that looks like for us.


That’s the beautiful thing about singing: it’s there for us when we’re ready for it. And we were all ready for it when we met up—it reignited the spark and joy in singing for a lot of us.


I was pretty depressed initially, and I’m still trying to understand what life will look like in the future and how I can make a difference, but now I know that, even in the darkest times, there can be joy. That we can create joy. That joy can be our own little pocket of resistance.


Keep singing, keep laughing, keep supporting each other. This is a journey and we’re all on it together 💙


How do you create joy in your life? What “joy snacks” can be found in your day to day? I’d love to hear what they are!


Now go out there and love each other, y’all!

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