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11.09.2011

On Joy

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As a lover of all things Taylor Swift, Glee, and Twilight, I see it a lot; partially because I have a masochistic tendency to search these keywords on Twitter and read the comments on articles regarding any of the above, and partially because I just can’t seem to avoid it. People really don’t seem to have any problem using particularly harsh words to publicly degrade them, which is just really sad to me. I’m of the belief that, for most things anyway*, if it’s popular, it’s popular for a reason.

*Most notable exception: Jersey Shore. Still can’t figure out why that show is popular.

Justin Beiber always comes to mind when I think of someone who seems to be either seriously loved or seriously hated. Sure, he puts off an arrogant attitude and the stalkerish qualities of his primary fan base border on the scary {not to mention unhealthy} at times, but anybody who has seen him perform can’t deny that he is a decent, if not good, singer. To put it bluntly, the kid has talent, and anybody saying otherwise is either A) deaf or B) entirely cynical and completely devoid of any joy in their life.

Okay, maybe that second option is a little extreme, but it brings me to the point of this post: If something as harmless as Justin Beiber is bringing joy to people, then what is there to complain about?

This post came to mind as I drove to work yesterday morning, listening to the Breaking Dawn soundtrack in the car. I have no shame in admitting that I am counting down the minutes until I get to see it at 12:15 a.m. next Friday morning, but there are still plenty of people out there who would call me “stupid” for doing so. And I just don’t get it.

Twilight brings me joy. Taylor Swift inspires me. Glee just makes me smile. Why is this so terrible?

I’m not saying that everybody needs to love these things. I like Justin Beiber, but I’m not a fanatical teen girl willing to do whatever it takes to give him my virginity. There are a lot of popular TV shows that I don’t watch or don’t like.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a difference between disliking something on principle (think Kim Kardashian) and disliking something because everybody else does like (which is why I think a lot of people hate some of the most popular things).  It’s perfectly alright, in my opinion, to disagree with the popularity of something because you think there’s something inherently wrong with it. But hating on something just because you think it’s “stupid?”

I think I feel sorry for a lot of these people. Life must get really difficult when you are so opposed to joy. I say opposed to joy because how can you have joy in your own life when you are so opposed to other people having joy in their lives?

I choose joy today, and every day. It just makes life better.

10 comments:

Emma Frances said...

I love this post. I am not a huge fan of Twilight or Justin Bieber but I hate that people hate these things just because they are popular! It really doesn't make sense. I love how you tied that in with choosing joy! Now THAT makes sense! :]

Chelsea said...

You speak the truth! I am not letting a good things that perks up my day get away just because it is popular or lighthearted. xoxo

Unknown said...

I personally have 2 dates booked to go see Breaking Dawn and I can't promise I won't stay away for a third helping! As for all the opinions for and against, the beauty of life is that for every opinion out there is an equal and opposite opinion...perhaps one answer to all of the above though is that when people will shout out about something that they enjoy so much, people will begin to counter back with equal if not more force just so it can be known that not everyone is a huge fan and then the whole thing gets whipped up in its own momentum? I don't know...if only people would put as much effort and energy into doing something good in the world as opposed to fighting over this kind of stuff, because on the scale of things, Twilight/Glee/Swift/Bieber are all really quite trivial things really!

Sydney said...

great post--so true! I think it's more acceptable in our culture to be cynical and to dislike things instead of sticking up for something that makes our hearts sing and our faces smile. It is a shame, the lack of positivity. Well done you for putting yourself out there
(I also totally just bought the breaking dawn soundtrack!! I had forgotten that the music comes out before the movie! YES!)
Thanks!

Betty said...

This was such a great post!! Thanks so much for all you said! It's a great reminder that we all have the choice to be happy!

Jenni@Story of My Life said...

So, so, so well said Joelle, and I completely agree on all counts. I do NOT understand haters. People like what they like and usually for a good reason, so who are we to judge?!

Maggie said...

agreed! great post dear xo!

(Eileen) a creative day said...

Such a great post! I totally agree about jersey shore, never got that show! but I am totally obsessed with HP and jealous ya'll got to have a marathon!

thanks for stopping by a creative day, it let me find your precious blog! following now :-)

eileen
www.acreativedayblog.com

Noe said...

I agree with you 100%, I remember trying to hate Twilight just because somebody close to me was suddenly obsessed with it. and then I gave in and went to watch it, it ends up it was really a pretty good story.
So I guess people sometimes just choose to hate, instead of giving it a chance.
well after all of the above said.. I am not ready to like neither Jersey Shore nor Kim Kardashian (in fact, why is she ridiculously famous again?), Justin Bieber? who's that one again? ;)

Noe said...

I agree with you 100%, I remember trying to hate Twilight just because somebody close to me was suddenly obsessed with it. and then I gave in and went to watch it, it ends up it was really a pretty good story.
So I guess people sometimes just choose to hate, instead of giving it a chance.
well after all of the above said.. I am not ready to like neither Jersey Shore nor Kim Kardashian (in fact, why is she ridiculously famous again?), Justin Bieber? who's that one again? ;)