Collective Joy
I’m in the United States, just outside Washington, DC in my hometown of Takoma Park for an extended visit to see loved ones. Almost two weeks into this visit, its been a whirlwind of activity and traveling, with a quiet backdrop of politics simmering beneath the surface.
Quiet conversations about bills passing and worries about what this will mean for medical care, college tuition, social security. Passing remarks about not engaging in political conversations with neighbors for fear of rocking the boat. Blanket platitudes that folks on the other side are crazy, or living in a totally different world.
Honestly I do my best to tune it out. Of course I have the same fears about what effect US politics will have on the rest of the world, and my family in particular (hello paying for college?!) But my most reliable coping mechanism is to focus on the things I can control and to observe the real time behavior of the people around me - which for the most part is rooted in love.
Last night, to celebrate the fourth of July, we had dinner with a friend who for several years was our neighbor. Our old neighborhood was always a party for Independence Day. Folks from the surrounding blocks would gather at one intersection, stationing folding chairs on the sidewalks and curbs of all four corners. Families - some of whom I knew but most of whom I did not - all brought out their stashes of fireworks and piled them up as the sun started sinking in the sky.
Kids were all out with sparklers, and soon the first big booms began to pop up in the sky. As night deepens, there is a continuous dance between the players on different corners, each taking turns setting off their stockpile. We can see and hear fireworks from other corners nearby, down the block a family gathering has their own little show in the middle of the street. Soon the air is thick with smoke, and the fireworks continue on.
What I noticed this time, having contributed a few fireworks myself to the collective haul, is what a beautiful example of creating collective joy this ritual is. The whole neighborhood enjoys the event. Those who are able to contribute their resources spend their time and money to procure the fireworks (likely involving a trip from DC to PA, which takes some planning and certainly some financial resources) to create this experience that everyone gets to witness. No one is excluded from the fun if they did not contribute to the purchasing of the resources. Those who took the time and spent the money to make the show a success know that its not only them and their families who will benefit - everyone who is nearby gets the same access to the event.
The collaborative creation of collective joy - many people pitch in, many people benefit. There’s not even really one person in charge or directing the shape of the event. Tradition, shared ritual and individual initiative combine, year after year, aligning in the joyful fun of creating delight and awe. How else can communities create these kinds of rituals? A stone soup energy of each bringing what they can to create memories that will be shared.
“Collective Joy” was written by Vincenza K. Illiano, a facilitator, doula, and coach who is creating ease in growth and joy in the journey. She is a co-leader, co-conspirator, and master strategist in The Movement Movement, offering clients her visionary leadership skills while guiding them toward alignment. Together, with Leah Williams and Kelly King, we audaciously model collaborative leadership for our clients.