Finding joy in living through a crisis

IN this day and age of crisis, I hastened to read the article “Living through a crisis,” (Safe Space, 4/16/26) by Anna Cristina Tuazon, and it was a riveting read, I must say. The article is timely and offers a clear and comprehensible remark on what it means to live through trying times, especially in relation to the pandemic in 2020. It reminds us that living through a crisis is indeed not a walk in the park, as people are constantly adjusting to uncertainty. However, the article does not feel heavy or overwhelming; instead, it gently bolsters the reader’s sense of hope and understanding.

When in a crisis, I like that Tuazon shares some salient tips we can be mindful of, and one idea that stands out to me is to “Always find the joy.” She elucidates that what helps us endure is to find joy in each moment and to treat joy not just as an emotion but as a way of doing things. We work joyfully, rest joyfully, debate joyfully, wait joyfully, and even budget joyfully. I find these ideas comforting because they show that joy can exist even in small-scale, ordinary actions.

In the middle of a harsh journey brought about by this crisis, these scattered bits of joy can make a difference as we try to live our lives as best we can. “Joy” becomes something we hold on to, even when days feel uncertain and exhausting. It is not about ignoring the hardships but about finding portable impetuses to keep going each day.

I believe that although we are faced with so much negativity right now, we still have multiple reasons to be joyful as Filipinos. Sometimes it is as effortless as scrolling through Facebook and laughing at memes, appreciating Filipino films that center on comedy and everyday life, admiring fellow Filipinos who go viral for actions that bring smiles to others, or simply thanking the Almighty for another day, for the life. The sea is big enough for everyone to find joy, and these simple things remind us that joy still persists even in difficult times.

How do we live our lives “joyfully” while the world is in an ongoing crisis? Simple: find reasons for joy, even if they seem hard or fleeting. We are Filipinos, by the way.

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