Joy Me Up

Upon arrival home from a family vacation earlier this Fall, we were all a little cranky after nine hours in the car on a gray and dreary day. To let off some steam, we went to the back yard, and my oldest daughter said, “Mommy, I want to listen to some music to joy me up.”

Joy me up! How clever is she? The phrase has stuck with me ever since.

Funny that she chose music as her joy “vehicle” of choice--she must be related to me. Music is one of the few things that can joy me up no matter what kind of mood I am in. Here’s a perfect example: in April, shortly after my cancer diagnosis, (you could say it was a rather gloomy time), I was watching one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Glee.

Rachel, one of the main characters, considered getting a nose job in order to be more appealing to the mainstream. In an effort to discourage her, Kurt, her gay friend, took her to the mall to listen to her idol, Barbra Streisand, who “redefined beauty and became the biggest star in the world.”

Rachel: Is she here?

Kurt: [with much disdain] No, we’re in a mall in Ohio.

[Ok, maybe it’s just because I’m from Ohio that I find this line completely hilarious]

Anyway, Kurt knew she would be inspired by Barbra’s ability to own exactly who she is and how she looks, without apology. So, he organized a flash mob in her honor.

Best. Scene. Ever.

Check out the official Glee video on YouTube here.

I saved the show on my DVR and watch it often because I light up every time. I practically giggle with delight because it’s all about celebrating the beauty of who you are, no matter what you look like--with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor thrown in for good measure. And it’s set to a catchy, upbeat techno song. LOVE.

Seriously, I laughed so hard, I even thought about posting it on my Facebook page at the time. I didn’t. You know why? Because my previous post had announced my cancer diagnosis, and the conditioned part of me that cares what people will think told me that it was inappropriate to follow cancer with Glee. Interesting how we can filter an emotion (in this case, pure joy) through the lens of whether it is appropriate to feel it.

So anyway, I give you this now because it still joys me up, and I want to share my joy with you. Of course, if this particular clip isn’t your thang, I beg you to find something that is. Something that lights you up and makes you smile. Something that brings that sense of sheer delight.

Throw caution to the wind and feel it even if part of you thinks it’s inappropriate.

Let it... Joy. You. Up.


Here's Clara, showing us how it's done.