By Enigheni Iwori
What is your state of origin?
Right now, you have gone on to mention Abia, Osun, Kano or any other state but do you know that beyond the 36 states that currently make up Nigeria, another state exists? It is Joy. Although not a geographical location, it is a mindset, a choice, and a quiet resolve to choose happiness despite not having all that you want.
Joy is the state of great happiness and pleasure. Unlike happiness, it is deliberate and intentional. It is a state in which you recognize that though there is chaos, you choose to smile and keep it moving.
It is common these days to talk about meals or activities that spark joy. While a dish with bold flavours would excite your taste buds and winning a game would leave you satisfied, Joy is more than that. It is in the way you smile when you hear that the price of what you bought yesterday has gone up by 20 percent or the way you find struggling for a space on the public bus on a rainy day quite amusing.
Joy is not only when you hear good news, success stories, or get that huge credit alert you have been waiting for. Joy is a perspective. It recognizes that you are human, and you are allowed to feel sadness, anger, irritation but you choose not to let those emotions define you.
So, while you physically live in places or come from those places you can choose today, to also live in the state of Joy – it requires no form of documentation just a determined individual that says gladness of heart is my default state of mind.
Right now, just start laughing, break into one of your famous dances, play with your family or just sit still and sing. Yes, you have joy!
See you next week.
*Enigheni can be reached via email: ienigheni@gmail.com.
