Jolly

Jolly

Jolly is such a purely sympathetic quality I think. There is no harm, or potential danger, or even dark side to the thought of someone who is jolly.

In mainstream thought, we think of Jolly Roger and Santa Claus as being associated with the word jolly. Wait a minute….both of those characters are laden with fearful associations. But also, with a promise of adventure. So may there’s something rascally about “jolly.” Maybe jolly is the thing of adventure stories—and a vital part of being spontaneous, childlike and joyful—regardless of the consequences.