“And second, I intend to wonder what the feeling of joy makes us do, or how it makes us be. I will wonder how joy makes us act and feel. That’s to say, I wonder what joy incites.” -Ross Gay, Inciting Joy, p. 9

                I mean, to start with, I love that phrase—intend to wonder. If this is a recipe, then maybe we could intend to wonder until there’s a book, a practice, a community. But maybe instead of a recipe (as I type with my cold fingers) it’s a kind of invitation to recognize how joy moves you. Moves us. Moves us to the stove, this cold day, to make hot tea. Moved me months ago to the backyard to split firewood because this evening may joy move me to the library to sit beside a crackling fire, to send a few text messages to friends, saying, “We’ve lit a fire. It’s dancing. If joy moves you this way.” Because joy moves. Begins. 
                Which is to say that joy moves me back to Ross Gay, turning pages I’ve read and reread, wondering how he gardens joy into work (and seeing, again and again, that he does). Which is to say that when I bundle up to go work on campus it will be determination and responsibility but also joy, joy that moves so much of what I work for. Which is to say: where does joy move you?