#YearOfJoy is about celebrating life, enjoying the moment and sharing it with others.
Photo: Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley isn't some type of unicorn, although as she travels the country, many people are just as surprised to see her. She's a "fat," black lesbian who teaches yoga. Yes, she calls herself fat and embraces the word. "There are tons of fat black women, men and all kinds of people who are out here trying to teach and trying to live their practices," she said.
She's the author of "Every Body Yoga" and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram.
She's my hero.
I used to be terrified of getting in front of the camera. That's sort of why I went into the newspaper industry, though many of my TV friends try to steer me their way. Don't know if it's maturity or simply living a more joyful life, I don't have much fear any more In fact, I actually enjoy being in front of the camera. It's a different way to tell a story, to share inspiration and maybe make someone's day, even if you're hot as hell in Galveston. It was fun.
(Happy to be in #Galveston talking summer fashion for Houston Life KPRC2 / Click2Houston. My dress from Chloe Dao boutique #lovegalveston #fashion #yearofjoy)
Prince had surgery to repair his paw after he was attacked. I had an emergency hospital visit to treat my wounds. Grand total was about $2,000 out of my own pocket. Any other time, I would completely lost it, cursed the heavens and cried myself to sleep. I didn't have an extra $2,000 in a piggy bank somewhere. But in this year of joy, I'm so much more focused on being happy through the storm. Sounds crazy? In a way, maybe. Life throws us shit some times. It stinks, but it's how you deal with it that really matters.
So I told myself, this too shall pass and I will manifest more income.
JOY LESSON: Focusing on joy is the key to getting through the bad times. .
Prince, my male boxer, was attacked by two pit bulls while inside my gate. One pulled Prince's front paw through the gate and was trying to rip it off. In my efforts to free Prince, I got bit deeply while Ava was running frantically in circles. It happened so fast. Dogs were screaming. Lots of blood. We're all at the ER. Traumatic. The pits belong to someone in the neighborhood. I'll be filing a police report.Not how I wanted to start my day. But it could have been worse.
JOY LESSON: Just because you're living more joyfully doesn't mean there won't be bad days. Joy just makes it easier to deal.
Sheryl Sandberg admits she got some things wrong in her book, "Lean In." She didn't understand the challenges of being a single mom and having a career until her husband died a few years ago.
"But what I got right is the world is still run by men. I don't think that's going that well," she said.
Sheryl also said will never make another joke about being old.
Every day is a chance to experience joy.
I'm a huge fan of Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis. She thoughtful, honest and so human. Several years ago, she was in town briefly for an event at Texas Southern University. I listened to her speak, and her words resonated with me about gratitude. My #YearOfJoy has been to celebrate gratitude more.
