Making Room for Joy

Most mornings, Forney residents driving to work or school are accustomed to the familiar sight of people walking, running, or biking throughout the community. Though this is not uncommon, one Forney man has made quite an impact on those passing by him on his daily walks.

Curtis Alexander King began walking each morning during the pandemic simply for exercise. He said he knew he needed to keep his body active for the physical and mental benefits it brings. But soon, King recalls he had a moment of clarity. “I realized each of these cars passing me by weren’t just cars. There were people in those cars,” he laughed. In hopes of spreading a little happiness, he decided right then to simply wave and speak to each person passing his way.

Mr. King grew up in Mississippi and remembered that, in his hometown, it wasn’t considered out of the ordinary to speak to people as you passed by them. In fact, the opposite was true. If you chose not to greet someone, it could even be considered rude whether that was the intent or not. Curtis, who moved to Texas to pursue his education, is now a grad student working toward receiving a Doctorate of Ministry degree. He also works as a consultant for non-profit organizations and hopes to soon launch a nonprofit to aid citizens reintegrating into society after incarceration. It’s easy to see that thinking of others is simply a part of who Curtis Alexander King is and greeting other members of his community is one simple and natural way he finds to connect with the individuals around him. He says, “It’s my way of making room for joy.” The response from pass

The response from passersby has been more than King ever expected. While he anticipated maybe a few polite waves in return, he relates that the reactions have been much more. Drivers, grinning at King’s friendliness, often honk and wave after they’ve seen his now-familiar greeting, and several even honk before he gets a chance to wave first! “One thing that encourages me to keep doing this is the response of the people,” he says. “I’m just walking through humanity with them.”

These daily three-mile walks have quickly become a favorite part of Curtis Alexander King’s days. In the midst of a world of uncertainty, from health concerns to political unrest to social injustice, an act of kindness as simple as a wave, a smile, or a word of “hello” may be just what is needed to remind us that we are all here together “walking through humanity” and we would do well, in King’s words, to make room for joy.