Joyful Gratitude

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

(Indigenous Survivors Day)

When in doubt, always go to gratitude. Gratitude can save lives! Teaching gratitude to folks who have suicide ideation can make a difference!

Letting AI help give some details about this:

Teaching

gratitude can help prevent suicide by reducing depression,

increasing self-esteem, and helping people feel a sense of control over their thoughts. Here are some ways to teach gratitude: 

• Model gratitude: Parents can model gratitude by pointing out things they’re thankful for, such as a good meal or clean water. 

• Establish a gratitude ritual: Families can make expressing gratitude a routine by saying a few things they’re thankful for around the table at dinner or before bed. 

• Start a gratitude journal: Families can keep a notebook, tree, or jar where everyone writes down something they’re thankful for each day. 

• Practice saying “thank you”: When someone shares that they’re struggling, tell them “thank you for telling me”. 

• Do an act of kindness: Doing something kind for someone can make both people feel good. 

• Practice the end-of-day exercise: Identify three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. 

Podcast interviews and speaking engagements

Click the link for the latest podcast interview with Brad Miller of Cancer and Comedy

From Street Performer to Joy Advocate: How to Put Joy First with Katy Bee

Cancer and Comedy

This link is for Apple Podcasts – this podcast is available on all streaming platforms

Dr. Miller begins by introducing Katy Bee’s

journey as a “professional noticer,” someone attuned to the joys and struggles

of those around her. Katy shares her inspiration behind founding the Joy First

Foundation, a non-profit born from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war.

The foundation began to offer support to those in crisis through laughter,

yoga, improv, and meditation. She recounts the pivotal moment when the phrase

“joy first” came to her during meditation, setting the tone for her mission.

One of the episode’s highlights is Katy’s

“Tour of Joy,” where she traveled the U.S. in a tiny runaway trailer, spreading

joy through gratitude and connection.

Lighting of Miami’s Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum- with Director and Councilman Phil Stewart

As part of learning more about the healing power of humor, Joy First was gifted a trip to the Lucy and Desi museum. Lucille Ball experienced a great deal of trauma in her childhood and adolescence. It was due to these experiences that she decided to be the person that she became.

We are grateful that you are in the world!

Join the Joy First movement on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd