Gross Global Happiness Summit Reflections 2026
Reflections from the Gross Global Happiness Summit
There are moments in life when you feel the quiet alignment of purpose.
Attending the Gross Global Happiness Summit was one of those moments for me.
The summit brings together educators, leaders, researchers, and change-makers from around the world who share a common question:
What does it mean for human beings and communities to truly flourish?
As a Stage IV colon cancer survivor, Positive Psychology Practitioner, and founder of Lee Lees Life Lessons, this question has shaped my life for many years. Surviving cancer changed my perspective on what matters most. It also deepened my belief that joy, connection, and meaning are not luxuries in life—they are essential components of healing and wellbeing.
Why I Attended
I attended the summit to deepen my understanding of global wellbeing initiatives and to share the work I have been developing through the Let Us Play™ framework.
Let Us Play™ is a joy-centered approach to healing and flourishing designed to support individuals navigating cancer and other life adversities. The framework integrates:
Positive psychology and the science of flourishing
Spiritual and metaphysical awareness
Creative expression and reflection
Community connection and belonging
My goal in attending the summit was not only to learn from global leaders in happiness and wellbeing, but also to explore how the Let Us Play™ approach might contribute to a broader international conversation about healing, resilience, and human flourishing.
Sharing the Stage
One of the highlights of my experience was having the opportunity to present and share ideas with an inspiring community of people who are working to make the world more compassionate, connected, and hopeful.
I was especially proud to share this experience with my daughter, Shelby, who has been an important part of my journey and continues to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of this work.
There is something powerful about witnessing the next generation stepping into spaces of purpose and impact.
A Global Movement Toward Flourishing
Throughout the summit, one theme appeared again and again:
Happiness and wellbeing are not individual pursuits alone—they are collective responsibilities.
Educators spoke about bringing emotional wellbeing into classrooms.
Healthcare professionals discussed whole-person healing.
Community leaders shared strategies for strengthening connection and belonging.
These conversations reinforced something I have long believed:
Healing is not just about surviving adversity.
It is about rediscovering joy, purpose, and participation in life.
Why This Matters for Cancer Survivors
For many cancer survivors, life after treatment can feel uncertain. The medical system does extraordinary work helping people survive cancer—but the emotional, spiritual, and identity shifts that follow survivorship often receive far less attention.
Programs like Let Us Play™ are designed to help bridge that gap.
Through storytelling, creativity, play, reflection, and connection, survivors are invited to reconnect with their inner wisdom and begin reimagining what life can look like after adversity.
Not just surviving.
Thriving.
Gratitude and Next Steps
I left the summit feeling deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many thoughtful leaders and to contribute to the growing global conversation about wellbeing and flourishing.
Experiences like this remind me that the work we do locally—supporting survivors, fostering community, and encouraging people to reconnect with joy—also has a place within a much larger global movement.
The path forward for Let Us Play™ continues to unfold, and I am excited to see where this journey leads next.
Because one truth continues to guide my work:
Joy is not a distraction from healing.
Joy is part of the healing.
And sometimes the most courageous thing we can do after adversity is simply this:
Let ourselves play again.
✦ Lisa Caughman, MSc, HHP, CAPP
Founder, Lee Lees Life Lessons
Creator of the Let Us Play™ Series and Joyful Collective Studios, Inc.
