City/State: Washington, D.C.

Profession: Medical Director,  Double Board-Certified physician and Owner of Dr. Yolanda Cares Foundation

What brings you the most joy?  “Helping others find the light within themselves, nurturing that light, and growing it so that it begins to affect not just their lives, but the lives of people in their family and their community. I do this by introducing a simple technique called Transcendental Meditation (TM) to teens, adults, and families everywhere and have watched them transform their lives by increasing their focus, clarity, cognition, quality of sleep, and peace and decreasing their anxiety, depression, cortisol levels, hypertension, impulsive behaviors (which include overeating) and other detrimental effects from stress experienced by people in marginalized communities.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “I truly believe that ALL PEOPLE have the power to add more JOY to their lives by tapping into the source within each of us that makes us divine, connects us to each other and to the creator, and gives us strength and rest from the stillness that lies beneath all the busy thoughts and concerns that cloud our clear thinking. In TM we call this pure consciousness, and we define it as blissfulness which is another word for joy. My goal, and active work recently, is to get this technique recognized by our government, so that it can be covered by insurance and made equitable through accessibility and sustainability for ALL.

Website: www.DrYolandaMD.com

City/State:  Houston, TX

Profession: Board Certified Psychiatrist

What brings you the most joy? “Dancing brings me the most joy. Dancing rejuvenates my mind, body, and spirit. I especially enjoy my Zumba fitness classes. I love that it is an artistic expression that I can enjoy in solitude or sharing with others.”

How can people add more joy to their lives?  “People can add more joy to their lives by actively and intentionally taking the necessary steps to care for their emotional health, physical health, and spiritual health. Self-care is a key ingredient in finding joy and being well.”

Website: www.drcarlindbarnes.org

City/State: Miami, FL.

Profession: Captain (CAPT), US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist/Sports Mental Performance Coach and Consultant

What brings you the most joy? “There’s nothing like practicing gratitude and knowing my true purpose in this life and living in. There’s also meditation and the healing light of the sun as part of my daily spiritual practice, laughter, and reminding myself the importance of the present everyday. It's a great feeling when you’re in a state of just simply ‘being’ and not always ‘doing.’ Watching my daughter train on the tennis court, and listening to the beautiful songs she writes. Enjoying my daily family group text chats about everything and anything, and the endless laughs that it always brings. Serving Black and Brown communities and vulnerable populations across the country everyday. And lastly, knowing that efforts I make toward erasing the stigma associated with accessing mental health care and prioritizing self-care in these communities can and will save lives.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “People can add more joy to their lives by remembering their passions, finding their purpose, and maintaining a positive perspective. Finding purpose in our lives helps us to tap into that infinite source from which all goodness, peace, and positivity flows. Serving others in any way can help one find that peace and joy. Don't delay those dreams that propel us to move toward our ultimate goals. Recognize that everyone's trauma is unique, and that fresh trauma can be both physically and emotionally paralyzing and healing isn't linear or uniform. My dear father used to say, ‘Indy, it’s a great life if you just don’t weaken! Always stay in the fight!’ So, to that I say, stay in the fight by going after that which gives you the most PEACE, PURPOSE, a renewed PERSPECTIVE, and JOY!  It is our birthright!”

City/State: San Francisco, CA.

Profession: Resident Physician in Pediatrics

What brings you the most joy? “What brings me the most joy is the feeling of being free from stress and free from the pressures and expectations that the world constantly piles upon us. I always say that we cannot control the world around us, but we can work to control how we feel and how we move through the world. I find the most joy when I take control and lean into those things that make me feel free: laughing and dancing with the people I love, being active and playing volleyball, and making the kids and babies that I work for smile.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “People can add more joy to their lives by first recognizing that this is an active process. There is so much out there in the world that is trying to steal our joy; we have to work to counter that on a daily basis. Taking an extra moment to savor even the smallest moments of joy in our days, and to reflect daily on the things that we are grateful for, are important practices to add more joy into our lives.”

Website: www.instagram.com/callmedoctor_t/

City/State: Los Angeles, CA

Profession: Licensed Clinical and School Psychologist / Community Psychologist

What brings you the most joy?: "What brings me the most joy is being able to be my true authentic self! It's one of the most liberating things we can do. I like to walk on the beach, take myself out to eat, blow bubbles and have concerts in my home by myself! This is where my inanimate objects come to life to cheer me on in my head, "I see you, Dr. T!" Don't judge me, y'all!"

How can people add more joy to their lives? "People can add more joy to their lives by connecting with their inner child and tapping into the joys they did not receive in their childhood. People may also add more joy to their lives by protecting their peace from energies that do not serve their life's purpose. Also, be intentional about who is in your circle and know that your time is valuable!"

Website: ellispsychservices.com| and psychesofcolor.org

City/State: Washington, D.C.

Profession: Licensed Social Worker and Practicing Individual Therapist

What brings you the most joy?  “I get the most joy from connecting with others and being able to help people feel seen, heard, and understood.  I enjoy helping people know that they don't have to suffer alone and helping them find the joy in their own situations can be incredibly inspiring and joyful for me.”

How can people add more joy to their lives?  “I think being present may be the easiest way for someone to find more joy.  Many of us move through our busy lives always thinking about the next moment, and losing the joy in the present one. Often there is tremendous joy around us, even when things are hard. Being present and looking for joy can be one of the easiest ways to manifest it.  Beyond that, we all just have to keep being intentional in asking ourselves, what will create joy for me?   I believe that the moment we start to seek it out is the moment the universe starts to respond in-kind.”

Website:  www.Mooretherapeuticservices.com

City/State: Rochester, N.Y.

Profession: Mental Health Therapist

What brings you the most joy? “Being able to make an impact in my clients' lives. Having a peace of mind. Spending time with my friends and family. Being able to partake in my favorite activities.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “By being their authentic selves, and not trying to fit into what society says they should be. Create your own lane.”

Website: www.therapywithraven.org

City/State: Saginaw, MI

Profession: Psychotherapy Private Practice Owner and Assistant Professor of Social Work

What brings you the most joy?: “The thing that brings me the most joy is using my talents, gifts, and abilities to the degree that it inspires others to operate in theirs; be it my children, my wife, my friends, family or strangers. It also brings me joy to use my voice and platforms that I occupy to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.”

How can people add more joy to their lives?: “People can add joy to their life by being persistent, living in their truth, not allowing the word ‘no’ to be ‘never’ and by removing the excuses of why they think they don't have time to take care of themselves. You don't have time not to take care of yourself. You deserve it just as much as those individuals who need to see your light shining, so that theirs can shine too. This world and the people within it will place you inside of a box and try to confine you to it. Break free from the four walls of that box and be authentically you, flaws and all.”

City/State: Atlanta, GA

Profession: Assistant Professor in the Departments of Community Health & Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine

What brings you the most joy? “My most joy is when I mentally settle down to the absence of thoughts. Yet, I am awake inside without thoughts. This is peace; this is how I manifest my joy.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “With the experience of infinite expansion of consciousness, others can easily learn to do the same.”

City/State: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Profession: Mental Health Professional/Expert

What brings you the most joy? “Being able to help my community thrive and heal [in order] to live their best lives brings me the most joy. In fact, seeing Black joy always makes me smile and makes my heart full.”

How can people add more joy to their lives? “Taking care of your mental and physical wellness is a huge part of joy. When you feel well, you do well. Also, be mindful of what you scroll and watch in the media. What we watch or listen to impacts how we feel emotionally so making sure you make your feeds and playlists positive is a game changer.”

Website:  www.PatriceNDouglas.com