What brings you joy?

For years, or maybe more than that, our life has been intense. So much has been happening—in our country, in the world, and in our own lives. 

How are you managing it all? 

When I was a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up, but now I realize that being an adult means losing some of that pure joy and innocence. EVERY.DAY. we’re exposed to so much tragedy. Maybe I’d be happier without the constant stream of news. Sometimes I think about throwing away my devices and retreating to a quiet place where I wouldn’t be bombarded by all the sad events happening around the world.

Today, I want to focus on something that brings joy. What has brought you joy recently—this week or even this month?

I had a wonderful experience at Yo-Yo Ma’s outdoor performance at his rehearsal before a concert. The rehearsal was a special treat because it gave me a glimpse of him in a more casual setting, interacting with people and performing with ease. During the Schumann cello concerto rehearsal, he played additional verses while practicing with the orchestra, telling the audience in a calm and inspiring way, “Think of this as a daydream. We are daydreaming together.”

The power of daydreaming was therapeutic. 

I first started admiring Yo-Yo Ma when he collaborated with composer Ennio Morricone on the soundtrack for the popular film The Mission. My appreciation for his music grew even deeper after I discovered that Mr. Rogers did an interview with Yo-Yo Ma. Many of us know that Mr. Rogers was a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the first pastor on television. I shout out to Mr. Roger’s prophetic evaluation of him as a very special musician. Yo-Yo Ma’s son, Nicholas, later made a documentary about Mr. Rogers. It’s incredible how enduring friendships form among people who leave such lasting legacies.

Thinking of these two legacies—Yo-Yo Ma and Fred Rogers—reminds me of the value of seeing each other as neighbors and friends, even when we come from different backgrounds. That could bring us more joy in our everyday. Moreover, Fred Rogers saw a gift in his friend and he was right. Yo-Yo Ma’s music, filled with pure joy, made me smile and brought tears to my eyes at the same time. His excellence and passion for music in performance were a gift to witness.

Amid the violence and turmoil we encounter daily, this experience was a much-needed escape from the chaos. I hope you can take some time for yourself this weekend, too.