These long days, built from the renewing fire of spring into the full light of summer, represent an opportunity to reconnect with joy. That’s not a criticism or admonishment if you’re not in a joyful place right now. I get it, the world is going through a tumultuous time and life doesn’t suddenly stop happening or only come-up-roses just because it’s the summer solstice. 

It’s not just the world in a vague sense, our city is in the midst of a tumultuous time and not everyone is in the mood to celebrate. Even on the longest, brightest day of the year, one can still find themselves surrounded by darkness. If that’s you right now, or if the full light of day is feeling dim and murky, allow me to make a paradoxical suggestion: share your light with others. Bring what illumination you have to someone else’s world and discover a funny little miracle - light begets light. 

We see examples of communities practicing joyful resistance in cultures with histories of oppression from around the world: Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance of liberation that mixes music, acrobatics, and martial arts. Irish dance, which folklore says developed its unique style to preserve culture and joy during the English Penal Laws, and of course the music of the American Black Church, whose often ecstatic message urges us to keep our little light shining. For the last decade or so, I’ve been struck by the joy of public protests and demonstrations. Such events happen during volatile, uncertain times, but they’re always so much FUN. People dress up, they bring clever and humorous signs, there’s music and dancing, there’s a great feeling of community and solidarity and hope. 

Yes, these days are an opportunity to reconnect with joy. I don’t mean pleasure or even happiness, I'm talking about connecting with the deeper river of grace that surrounds us at all times. I’m reminded of one of my favorite hymns, the first three verses begin with these lines:

O love that will not let me go…

O Light that follows all my way…

O Joy that seekest me thru' pain…

I love the idea that we are relentlessly pursued by light, a belonging that waits for us behind every loneliness and sorrow, a love that holds onto us, even as the illusion of our unworthiness tries to push it away, a joy that waits for us in our darkest moments. Sufi spiritual practice revolves around the concept of Zikr, which means remembrance. The Sufis say we are fish swimming in an ocean of grace, splashing around begging for a cup of water. We don’t need to seek the light or re-ignite our flame, just remember that it’s there waiting for us as soon as we’re ready.

When you are caught in smallness, fear and hurt, the illusion of isolation, or find yourself in a dark place, bring light to someone in need. It’s the elegant paradox born of our interconnection that our light shines brightest when we remember that we belong to and for each other. These are the days of light and hope, and as the shadows lengthen we have to hold onto them, hold onto each other, to sustain us through the dark days to come.