Sometimes joy fills me up like helium in a balloon and I swell with good vibes. I feel waves of joy after a hard-fought soccer game: I’ll smile as I bathe in a relaxation that seems to last a lifetime. I feel joy when eating rice and refried beans, their warm and savory softness and crunch, like sweet and sour. I feel joy on road trips: Headlights dancing through the night, Country Roads sounding from above, sleeping with the heat of the sun on my forehead. Joy is finally understanding all the underlying meanings of a Spanish rap song after a year of practice and dedication to the language. Joy is putting pencil to paper and writing a world of magic. Joy is every night-time walk I’ve ever had. Joy is syrup and chocolate chip pancakes on Sunday morning, letting the sugar and bread coax me into a lazy relaxation. Joy is being with family in Philadelphia on Christmas eve, and breakfast on Christmas day, knowing that I’ll remember the moment for years to come. Joy is giving my Mom a long hug. Joy is soothing and relaxing, joy is warmth, joy is beautiful.

Hi, my name is Lukas Kennedy. As a student in NYC, I take the train multiple times per day. On the train, whether through earbuds or the phone, everybody is plugged into technology. Instead of talking with each other, we talk with people that we cannot see, smell, or hear. In environments like these all across the world, communication is so vital. Without it, I don’t think we can be whole. I have taken it upon myself to start conversations with strangers as much as I can. The goal is connection and, for me, active listening is the most powerful way to connect with others. During my commutes to school, I converse with all different types of people. I listen to the homeless frequently; men and women who are looking for people to speak to and connect with. Men and women who are so desperately alone that by talking with them, even for a minute, I brighten their day. We all crave connection, but without listening to others, real connection can’t take place. My biggest takeaway from my conversations with strangers is the power that listening holds. When I engage in conversation with someone, I invest my entire being into understanding them. I bring out their warmth and joy and, in turn, I receive it right back. Listening to others deeply is the most powerful way to invite deep connections in our world, which can sometimes feel superficial. I want to raise awareness about the power of listening. To this end, I continue to talk to strangers and friends alike. I foster connections and relationships and encourage others to do the same. People need to know: It takes a conversation.