A Girl Who Found Her Joy and Wants to Have Fun

So many of us are always searching for the joy in our lives and find it a struggle to achieve. Sadly, so many of of us fail.

We were witness on Thursday, February 19, 2026, when we saw Joy unrevealed to us in the person of twenty-year-old Alysa Liu, when she skated in Milan with abandon, not caring if she won her routine. She only wanted to have fun, as most real girls always want.

And she succeeded to her most "funnest" way: she skated with abandon and won the Gold Medal in the process 

Her goal was to go out to the ice to have fun, not caring if she won. She said this many times before she competed. And she did.

Her face and demeanor revealed it when she went out there; not caring what the audience, and the world, thought. She was not nervous or tense, as other skaters appeared. She smiled a joyful smile, relaxed in her approach, skating like it was only fun for which she was searching.

And for seven or so minutes, it was only her and the ice, along with Donna Summer's version of MacArthur Park which mattered to her. It showed as she was flawless, joyfully skating to HER routine, in HER costume of choice, after she came back from an early retirement following her performance after the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

Her story actually begins in 1989, before she was even born, when her father left for the United States, following his escape from the People's Republic, due to his involvement in the Tianneman Square uprising and protest. But she learned early on that it was America which gave her the opportunity to freely achieve all she wanted. Without government interference.

She showed her inner joy as she wrapped herself in the American flag afterward, sharing her joy with teammates and competitors alike. That joy seeped into all who came into contact with her in the arena that night. Without jealously or bitterness. Only with a similar joy they felt from her to all of them.

Some have criticized her hair, her costume choice, her music, all to no concern by her. She doesn't care; she is only out to have fun. And Joy.

So, thank you, Alysa, for showing us all how to find our Joy, as you have found yours. And Girl, you continue to have Fun!