ERIKA DAVIS

Growing up, my parents often reminded me that my middle name was intentional. Joy wasn’t just a name they liked; it was something they hoped would guide my life. Ironically, I didn’t always appreciate it. Years later, I finally understood. The very name I once overlooked had become my North Star. Yet somewhere along the way, I had stopped following it. I had spent years building a successful career, serving my community, supporting others, and checking boxes that were supposed to lead to fulfillment. From the outside, it looked like progress. But I felt stuck, running in place. I was accomplishing meaningful things and helping countless people. Yet I wasn’t moving closer to the life I truly wanted for myself. Then came a realization I couldn’t ignore. My middle name is Joy. Yet somewhere along the way, I had stopped choosing it. I had stopped choosing me. That realization changed the way I approached my life. I started paying attention to what energized me instead of focusing only on what was expected of me. I made space for the things that inspired me, challenged me, and made me feel most alive. I gave myself permission to explore new possibilities and reimagine what the next chapter of my life could look like. Most importantly, I stopped treating myself as an afterthought. What I discovered was simple, but not always easy: choosing yourself isn’t selfish. Making yourself a priority isn’t selfish. Following your heart thoughtfully isn’t selfish. In fact, it may be one of the most courageous things we can do. Today, when I’m faced with a decision whether it’s personal, professional, or somewhere in between, I come back to the same question: Are you choosing joy? Not because joy guarantees an easy path. Not because it removes fear or uncertainty. But because it helps us stay connected to who we are. For me, choosing joy meant remembering that my life was meant to be lived, not simply managed. It meant recognizing that success without fulfillment is incomplete and that I deserve the same care, attention, and investment that I so freely give to others. My parents gave me the name Joy long before I understood its significance. Today, it serves as a reminder of who I am, what matters most, and how I want to move through the world. #ChooseJoy