Hey, joyful humans!

Thank you so much for being here.

I've been thinking a lot about what US Rep. John Lewis said about "good trouble" - taking necessary action to fight for justice and equality, even if it means facing opposition or consequences.

We saw this last week with US Senator Cory Booker's good trouble of executing a 25-hour speech protesting President Trump and his administration. Through his marathon speech, in which he did not sleep, eat, or drink water, he made it known to everyone watching how detrimental this administration is. During his speech, he shared constituents' letters of those harmed by this administration's policies. (Side note - if you're a fitness data nerd like me, this article shares his Oura ring health data while he was doing the speech; it's pretty fascinating!)

Coincidentally, around the same time as Senator Booker's speech, I started watching the 1970s sitcom M*A*S*H, documenting the personalities of a military medical unit during the Korean War. Good trouble has been the central plot of at least four episodes, and I'm only on season two. The two main characters, Hawkeye and Trapper, deeply care for the lives they're trying to save and are willing to get into good trouble to help them, even if that means they face consequences from the US Army. One of my favourite good trouble episodes is when they negotiated their Lt. Colonel's antique oak desk with the head of the Korean black market to get a drug they need for their patients because thieves were stealing it before it could get to the base.

Now, this is not an invitation to start mischief in the name of good trouble. I invite you to think about how most people arrive at that point instead. In most cases, good trouble happens because they were too uncomfortable with the injustices they saw and took action to do something about it. It makes me think of this line Hawkeye says to Major Frank Burns when asked what a hero is while they're trying to stop a sniper from attacking the base:

Taking necessary action for the greater good.

Where are you shying away from in your life that could use your courage to do something for the greater good?

Reminder: The situation doesn't have to get to rock bottom for good action to occur. It starts with you seeing an injustice and doing something about it. Maybe that good action is donating to a good cause that supports their community well. Perhaps your good action is going to a protest or standing up for someone in real-time.

Joy comes from various places, but when it comes up after you found the courage to take action to help a community? Not only can that help you feel better and more joyful, but it can permit others to do the same - like a joyful ripple effect. 💛

PS: I couldn't resist - if you want a funny example of what a speech/filibuster can look like, Patton Oswald's 100% improvised filibuster from Parks and Recreation is insanely good.​

Two nights left of Yoga with Dani IRL classes!

We're closing out this first series of Yoga with Dani in two weeks, so if you've been thinking of joining us, we'd love to have you join this upcoming Monday night! Relieve your body aches, laugh with new friends and reconnect with yourself and your breath.

Song of the Week

Never Gonna Not Dance Again - P!nk

I was just reminded of this one when it played at the gym, and wow, this one is so fun! Despite the premise being a double negative, I really enjoy this song's lyrics and message.

Never Gonna Not Dance Again P!nk PREVIEW   ​

Find this song and all the others on the ​Joyful Beats playlist​ on Spotify!

Video of the Week

Today is going to be a good day... why?

If you're looking for an affirmation/prompt to help you feel more positive, try this one! I ask myself this every morning, and it's helped me a lot with getting my mind right before my day.

Good News Wednesday

Check out the good news around the world! In our fast-paced world, it’s important to remember “the helpers.”

• Very special footage was recovered, showing a rare set of three endangered Bengal tiger cubs with their mama in a Thai national park (and they're so cute!)
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• Detroit nonprofit Life Remodeled is giving new life to previously vacant schools and turning them into resource communities for low-income families.​
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• Thanks to a 'remarkable' rewilding project in Scotland, the bumblebee population has increased 116 times over!!​
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• A team of scientists made a breakthrough in beating cancer by examining the effects of Extrachromosomal DNA on cancer cells!
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• Meet Hania Zaatari, a Lebanese human who created a chatbot on WhatsApp to help those who needed medical supplies receive them faster!
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• ​Learn more about C86ERZ, an independent group of over 700 cyclists in London who help deliver supplies to those experiencing homelessness!
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• Head to London's Home Kitchen and discover the world's first fine dining restaurant run by those who've experienced homelessness. The employee package includes a livable wage, a pre-paid travel card and funds to pursue catering certification.
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• Here's a wild story - after far right-wing group the Proud Boys vandalized two churches and defaulted on their $2.8 million judgment, a judge awarded the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church their trademark and banned the Proud Boys from selling any merchandise moving forward.
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• Good Earth news! Scientists say the global emission of gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide has most likely passed its peak air pollution level.​
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• A historic ocean liner, SS United States, is making its way to the Florida Gulf Coast to be sunk and become the world's largest artificial reef. While this might seem strange as good news, natural and artificial coral reefs help support a healthy ecosystem!
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• Scientists in Hawai'i are currently training marine fungi to eat ocean plastics! Fungi have a special superpower to digest foods that other microorganisms can't - like micro plastics.

Find more good news at Good Good Good!​

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In gratitude and thanks,