Joy is ever-present in the small things in life—the pause you take to notice the wisteria blooming on campus, or the excitement of hearing your child's sweet voice say, "Hey Mama" when they answer your phone call. As the Inclusive Excellence AVP's suite whiteboard reminds us, "Joy is a form of resistance," an expression of gratitude and a symbol of hope in our polarizing world.

I have been fiercely protective of my joy and peace as an adult. They have sustained me through grief and loss, anxiety, and times when I felt the pressure to be everything to everyone, everywhere, all at once. The steadiness of God's perfect peace that passes all understanding and His limitless joy has kept me and ushered in hope daily.

Romans 15:13: The God of hope is able to fill believers with all joy and peace through the Holy Spirit, so they may abound in hope.

As we enter this season of waiting and anticipation, joy doesn't have to wait. I hope you pause and take time to find joy in the little things. I want to leave you with a song from Pharrell, known for "Happy." This one is called "Joy Unspeakable".