My mom was a passionate and dedicated ice skater throughout her childhood; she would have loved for my sister and me to follow in her graceful footsteps. However, lessons at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink in Byram didn’t lead to the mastery of a double axel, much less a Hamill Camel. Instead, I proudly donned the ever-popular 1976 Dorothy Hamill haircut and learned to
love watching ice skating with my family on television. It became a cherished family event— rooting for our favorites during Nationals, the Olympics, and the Worlds.
Last weekend, Boston hosted the World Championships, and I was captivated by the story of USA World Champion Alysa Liu. Liu, who won Nationals at the tender age of 13, left the sport
two years ago, citing a loss of joy as her main reason. What once brought her exhilaration started to feel like an obligation, a job without joy and passion. So, she took a bold step back
from skating, embarking on a transformative journey that included trekking to Nepal, downhill skiing, and enrolling at UCLA—all while leaving her skates to gather dust in a closet at home.
After her hiatus, she felt the urge to start skating again, and her extraordinary comeback reminds us all that true joy can be found in both a peaceful walk and in the deeper pursuit of a true
passion.
In our fast-paced world, children often face challenges that overshadow the simple pleasures of growing up. Joy – like happiness – is touted in countless self-help books as something that can easily ellipse us all in these complex times, but I believe our children are especially vulnerable. The carefree exploration and unstructured play that once defined childhood and fostered true and unabashed joy have been replaced by demanding schedules and high expectations. With academic pressures and the pervasive influence of social media, the pursuit of joy doesn’t come as naturally as it should, nor is it a guaranteed day to day feeling and experience.
How can we help our children reconnect with that sense of joy and wonderment? I believe a significant part of the answer lies within our schools. Schools have a unique opportunity to
create environments where joy is woven into the fabric of daily life. I want to believe in the good intentions of all schools, where joyful learning is celebrated—a space where curiosity and
creativity flourish, and collaboration is the norm. When children feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage in their education and find joy in the learning process.
Reflecting on the essence of joy and its role in our lives, I recently revisited a book that left an impression on me several years ago: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World.
This work chronicles a heartwarming visit between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Bishop Desmond Tutu, two Nobel Peace Prize winners who explored how to find joy amid
modern life’s complexities. They identified eight qualities—humility, perspective, humor, forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, gratitude, and generosity—that can help us embrace joy
as a lasting part of our lives.
Celebrating joy is not merely an ideal but a fundamental aspect of our collective journey toward a fulfilling life. Schools have the power to change the narrative around childhood and joy. By
fostering environments that celebrate happiness, we can help our children not only survive but truly thrive. At Eagle Hill, we’ve cultivated a vibrant community where children learn to find joy in learning once again. If I may be so bold, I believe that the Dalai Lama and Bishop Tutu would feel proud of us—those eight pillars are palpable and ever-present within our school. I feel immense gratitude to be part of a community that truly embodies joy and nurtures it as a pathway toward the well-being of children.
Let’s take a page out of Alysa Liu’s playbook. To watch her skate last weekend was to bear witness to joy personified; her journey teaches us that reclaiming joy can lead to remarkable
achievements. As parents, educators, and community members, we must ensure that the laughter, curiosity, and genuine joy of childhood remain alive and well for generations to come.
Together, we can create a future where our children, like Alysa, rediscover their passion and joy—both on and off the ice.
Gretchen Larkin is the Head of School at Eagle Hill School.
