Lifestyle

Since his first hit single “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” in 2002, Jason Mraz has built his musical career by crafting positive, upbeat music. This week sees the release of his new album, Look For The Good, a collection of songs that encourages us to find hope, optimism and gratitude despite the turmoil the world is experiencing right now. The two-time Grammy winner talked with Live Happy to explain how this collection of songs came about, what he learned in the process of writing and recording this album, and what he hopes every listener takes away from it. This is an exciting album to talk about because it's so timely. Can you tell us how this whole project came about? I knew it was going to be an election year, and election years usually bring out the debates and they’re very just heated, which is good. It’s a good thing because I think it helps us know ourselves and it helps us hear ourselves for what we are craving, what's working, what's not working. On a debate year, I wanted to make sure we release some music that wouldn’t necessarily influence debates, but just would remind us to be kind; remind us to be human and treat the others on the other side of the aisle with dignity and respect, regardless of our beliefs. At the end of the day, we’re all still these very fragile human bodies made up of microorganisms and bacterias and viruses and things. Regardless of our political beliefs and geographical borders, let’s remember that we’re human. That’s kind of what the songs are about. Let’s just remember that we’re human and we’re fragile and that there should be love for each other. I love the reggae influence on this album, and I always feel like reggae is such a great carrier for positivity anyway. Can you talk about why you wanted it on this particular set of songs? It really began as an experiment. It was something I wanted to make because as a live performer, whenever I would play a reggae song or I would say convert an older song of mine to a reggae style or fashion, I would get a different sensation from it. Then I would notice the audience would also connect to it in a different way. So, I thought there’s something magical about reggae that causes people to dance and connect. As a performer, you pair that with some positive layers, like you pair that dance with and it feels like church in a way. I'm able to sing a positive message but I'm also able to dance on the fringe of ideas that are not as easily sung in traditional pop. The reggae genre allows me to breathe life not only into love and positivity but into transformational messaging or the kind of message that breathes life into an ever-changing world. I've not been able to do that necessarily in the pop category as easily. Your music has always been so positive and uplifting. In that sense, you’ve always kind of swam upstream from the rest of the industry because positivity isn't necessarily what we get out of what’s playing on the radio. Why has that always been important to you? It starts with the love of performing and love of songwriting. I love singing, and so I became a songwriter because I love to sing. If I sit down with an instrument to sing, I just feel joy. So, it seems like what should be coming out of my mouth is something joyous, not something sad and depressing. Then if I have the luxury of someone's ear and if they're giving me their time and listening, I want to share with them my joy, not my sadness. I always found myself wanting to share joy. Usually, I sit down at a piano to celebrate joy because life has gotten dark and out of balance. I say, “Okay, I’ve got to get to my instruments because that's where joy lives. That's where a bigger spirit in me dwells.” For some reason, joy songs just work better for me. They keep me going. Does your positivity come to you naturally? Some people really have to work to think positive, and it seems like maybe you lean that way anyway. Well, I do but I have to work at it because I get it through my music practice. Trust me, I get long periods of just melancholy and sadness, so I will shift to music and I will work on music or crafting something creative until that melancholy blows over, rather than just sit with the melancholy and start adding extra weight to it. I work at it, I shift, I go to music, I go to crafting and I write. I go to journaling. I go to poetry until I feel that transformation and that transformation goes, “Aha, I am a powerful creator. I am worthy. I am new. I am renewed.” All of that comes through the creative process. "Look for the Good" is the lead single, and it’s also the name of the album. Where did that come from? That was actually a title that Michael Goldwasser submitted. Michael was the producer of this album, and he had heard his rabbi sermonize, “Look for the good and you will see the good.” So, if you go out in the world looking for it, you’ll find it. Same as bad news, look for the bad and you'll find the bad. It’s easy to find. Look for the good and you'll find the good. That was a title he submitted to this project. When he sent me an instrumental, a musical idea to work on, that was the title. All I had to do was sit down and expound upon that idea, which is what I love to do. It's just another version of gratitude. When you're asked to look for the good or when you're asked to say thank you like, “Hey, what are you thankful for?” the first thing we do is we start scanning either our memories or our environment for something good because we want to say thank you for that thing or that person or that experience in our life. That’s excellent and it’s a great leadoff. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to this whole collection. Another song that I wanted to talk to you about is “You Do You” which features Tiffany Haddish. I love how it celebrates individuality. When people listen to that, what do you hope that they hear? First, joy. Always joy. Freedom and joy. Those are my two favorite things, freedom and joy. They’re a favorite because I've been given those things in life through my parents, through the resources, through my public school. Just the system was designed for a kid like me to have freedom and joy, and so it's been my work in my adult life to make sure others and every other human being also gets to experience freedom and joy. “You Do You” is a song that says let us all be free to be ourselves and let us be joyous and let us celebrate each other for each other's freedoms. We’re all going to have a different version of what that feels like, and we’re all going to have different versions of joy. There’s a lot of different ice cream flavors in that frozen food section. Everybody wants something different. Freedom and joy, that’s what I hope people get out of “You Do You.” That’s certainly what I get out of it. Before we let you go, your wish to make the world a better place certainly doesn't end with your music, so can you tell us a little bit about your foundation? Yes, the Jason Mraz Foundation. It’s something I started back in 2011. Three years ago, we refocused it to focus specifically on inclusive arts education and the advancement of equality, and that is similar to programs that I came up through as a kid. Arts education is just such a great medium for collaboration. When you add inclusivity to that arts education, you’re not only getting a great arts training but you're getting compassion and empathy and acceptance. You’re learning how to…you’re basically learning how to sit on that subway or train car and see the good in everybody. Basically, it’s what inclusive arts education does for the purpose of the advancement of quality. Because as I said earlier, I came up through great public school that made it easy for me to experience freedom and joy, so the Jason Mraz Foundation is helping to breathe life into programs that exist, as well as create new programs that can hopefully also create experiences of freedom and joy for young people who are pursuing the arts. Everything from dancers to visual artists, to poets, to songwriters, singers, you name it, we’re out there trying to help them get a hand up in the world to experience their freedom and joy.

I wish we could chalk this year up to a Stephen King novel we could all slam the book on, but sadly the COVID-19 pandemic is not fiction and very real. It’s safe to say we are in unchartered territory and never dreamed we would ever experience in our lifetime what has become this surreal “new normal.” While the world spirals out of our control as we watch helplessly self-quarantined on our couches, the uncertainty is daunting. One thing that is for certain is it is vitally important for us to maintain our mental and physical well-being during the coronavirus climate. As I sit here at home self-isolated during the 15-day plan to stay at home, I have an overwhelming need to share something good and spread light into the darkness. It is important for us to practice gratitude during this time and embrace what we do have. While most of the outside world is canceled right now, these activities are not: Going outdoors (as long as we are six feet apart), listening to music, quality family time, reading a book, singing out loud, speaking with friends, laughing and sharing hope with others. We are all in this together, even if it’s virtually. Hopefully, we can close the distance emotionally with a sense of community since we can’t be together physically. I curated a “Stay Home Things to Do List” to allow you some well-deserved “Me Time.” Take a break from binge-watching CNN 24-7 to be healthy and strong both mentally and physically for the coming days. Don’t Forget Fitness Exercise is vital for reducing stress and maintaining your physical and mental health. Since the gyms are closed for the foreseeable future, online fitness courses are available for constant streaming. An acronym for “Our Body Electric,” Obe Fitness offers an incredible array of live and on-demand fitness classes for home. The platform boasts a daily schedule of 14 live classes and more than 4,000 on-demand classes available for replay. Classes include kickboxing, yoga, cardio dance, pilates, meditation and much more. All Obe instructors are upbeat and motivating and so is the brightly designed studio space where all the classes are held (and filmed). Offering a seven-day free trial, this fun immersive fitness experience is well worth the $27 per month price tag (less than a dollar a day). So get on your mat and check it out! A DIY Spa Day The term “self-care” has been thrown around quite a lot in the past, but now it’s taking on a whole new meaning. It’s safe to say you’re not venturing out for a manicure these days, and let’s face it…you might not be in the mood with your new role as “beauty squad party of one.” To maintain the all-important “look good, feel good” mentality, my suggestion is to create a designated “Staycation Spa Day” to keep up with your beauty routine in a Day Spa environment and make it fun. If you’re lucky enough to have a steam in your shower, now is the time to use it. Even if you don’t, you can create your own “steam therapy” in an enclosed shower. Put the “ahh-in-spa” by adding a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender aromatherapy oil and relax and allow yourself to detox and unwind. Moist hot steam has so many incredible health benefits, such as helping circulation, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure by releasing a hormone called aldosterone and even acts as an immune booster. The key is to limit your steam sessions to 10 minutes a day to not get dehydrated. You can alternate a hot steam session with a cold plunge interval by running ice water in a nearby bathtub and soaking for 3-5 minutes for more immune-boosting benefits, however, my friends at the Wim Hof Method state this is not recommended if you are feeling sick. Cold therapy adds an additional stressor onto the immune system that already has its hands full fighting off viruses. If you’re a bath person like myself, pour in some Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt and take a hot detox soak to relax your body and calm your mind. While you’re there it’s a perfect time for a DIY facial. Some of my personal favorites are the Onyx Youth Magnet Mask and the G. M. Collins Hydrating Aqua Mask. Stream Arts and Culture Getting stir-crazy at home and need a dose of culture? Streaming is the answer with a plethora of incredible resources at your fingertips. Take a virtual tour of the leading museums around the world with Google Arts & Culture for incredible curated content bringing the world’s most famous art collections directly into your home. The Royal Opera House's channel has a selection of some of the top performances from famous operas and ballets, just a click away. If a Broadway play strikes your fancy, check out the BroadwayHD streaming service that’s just $8.99 a month and there's a one-month free trial. Musical stars are getting in on the act, reminding us we are all in this “Together at Home” with live, at-home performances on Instagram for fans who are self-isolating. On March 16, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin kicked off the new virtual concert series officially dubbed “Together at Home: Who-Global Citizen Solidarity Sessions.” The initiative is presented by the World Health Organization and Global Citizen. John Legend took the baton shortly after Chris, Charlie Puth followed, and other singers like Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello will be getting in on the action in the coming weeks, too. Spring Cleaning Side Hustle Looking for a money-making project you can do at home? Tidy up and cash out with my personal favorite selling app Poshmark. This fun, interactive social commerce marketplace is an amazing resource to buy and sell new and used clothing, accessories, beauty products, shoes and even home goods. Just sign up to become a “Posher,” create your own closet, list items for sale and voila…you’re in business. This is selling made simple and Poshmark provides a shipping label to you once an item is sold. You keep 80 percent of the profits and Spring cleaning has never been more fun! These are trying times for us all. Please self-isolate to help slow this deadly virus and stay strong. We are all in this together and we are AmeriCANS! We can do it. My final note, I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all our incredible healthcare workers on the frontlines fighting this awful pandemic. God speed and God Bless America.

If you are a fan of the Hallmark Channel, then you are familiar with Nikki DeLoach. Having starred in multiple Hallmark hits, including Two Turtle Doves, A Dream of Christmas, The Perfect Catch and Reunited at Christmas, she is quickly becoming the channel’s most recognizable face. With more than 50 credits to her name, Nikki has been in front of the camera for most of her life. But, acting isn’t her only true passion. After a series of adversities involving the people closest to her—her father suffering from dementia and her son born with serious heart issues—she uses her platform to shine the light on issues and organizations that are dear to her heart. “I lost my grandfather and I’m currently losing my dad—who is only 65 years old—dementia. I’ve become a spokesperson for both the Alzheimer’s Association and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles,” Nikki explains. “I am now also on the board for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Through my personal experiences with my son’s heart condition and my father’s dementia, it’s so important for me to be actively making a difference in these organizations.” Nikki is also an advocate for women’s empowerment. Recently, Nikki cofounded the What We Are blog with her friend Jen Dede, with the goal of uniting women of all walks of life by giving them a platform that focuses on their issues. “We wanted to build a community of women where we preach that vulnerability is your superpower and sharing your story—your real story, your real self—is one of the most powerful things you can do,” Nikki says. Covering topics ranging from health and wellness to work and motherhood,What We Are’sblogs are written by women for women without all of the filters. What inspired you to create the “What We Are” blog and become an advocate for empowering women? Jen Dede walked into my life at a point where I was seeking to become the most authentic version of myself. She was at the same place in her life. For the first time in our lives, we weren’t concerned with being messy or ugly or if our messiness would make people uncomfortable. For years, as women, we’ve been taught not to be authentic. Instead, we were taught to look pretty and keep our opinions to ourselves, don’t let anyone see that you are struggling to be the perfect mom, wife, friend, citizen, etc. We have been imprisoned, and I wanted to live a life of authenticity and honesty. I was looking to destroy this glass house of perfection that had been built around us and celebrate the richness, deepness and complexity of women! So, it started with this beautiful friendship we built and then grew from there. Who taught you the most about happiness? I’ve had some amazing teachers in my life. I’ve been truly blessed, but it has been my relationship and connection to God that has been the biggest teacher. I’ve certainly had guides, healers, therapists and counselors along the way that have helped me to develop a skill set to release trauma, heal the past or figure out complex relationships with others. But I think happiness is an inside job. You have to want it. You have to fight for it. And it has been me and my connection with the sacred that is not only within, but also around us (I call that God, but you can call it anything you’d like!) that has taught me the most about happiness. What is the kindest act someone has done for you? When I was pregnant with my youngest son, we learned that he had multiple life-threatening heart defects. Without immediate intervention, he wouldn’t survive. The way in which my friends, family and community surrounded us and supported us through all of that will never be forgotten. I am a forever changed human from the outpouring of love, prayers and support we received. Food delivery, hospital visits, people taking my oldest son for play dates so he wouldn’t have to feel the weight of our reality…you name it. I received cards from churches that I had never visited, people I didn’t even know across the country who had been praying for Bennett. I remind people all the time that, despite what we see and read on the news, the world is full of incredible human beings doing incredible things for others. How do you make others close to you happy? I am present with them. I see them, hear them. I don’t just listen with my ears, but also with my heart. I remind them of their gifts, talents and what makes them so special. It’s important to empower people, to remind them of just how important they are to us and to society. I think being present with someone is the greatest gift you can give them. And the result is always happiness and joy. What do you do to pay it forward? I truly believe that we are all in this together. When one rises, that person brings everyone along. Just as when one is in need, it is our job to go to that person and ask how we can be of service. I believe that living a purpose-driven life with a service-driven heart is what it’s all about. We are only as strong as our weakest link. Think about that for a moment. Think about the weak links we have in our society. Not the people who are vulnerable. Vulnerability is a strength, it’s a superpower. I am talking about the leaders of our society who are leading with hate, fear and separation. There is a lot of work to be done. I’ve been blessed in my life to have a good job, a wonderful husband, a family who would do anything to help me, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my mouth, a son whose life has been saved THREE times! When you’ve been given a lot, I feel like it is necessary to pay it forward as much as possible. What are you passionate about? I am passionate about my family, friends and building community. I am passionate about living a life of purpose. I want to leave the world better than when I came into it. I’m passionate about staying true to that sentiment. I am passionate about learning and implementing ways to become a healthier individual on a mental, spiritual, emotional and physical level. I am passionate about my faith. I am passionate about connecting. When is the last time you laughed out loud? Today! I was coaching with my friend, Stephen Van Dorn, on an audition I have for tomorrow. We always have a great time together. He makes me laugh out loud all the time. I believe in laughter and its ability to heal, change the day and make you happy. It’s true that it is often the best medicine. Where is your happy place? It can be anywhere as long as I am present and in my body. I have certainly found happiness in certain places: Hawaii, Paris, my family farm in Georgia, on set filming. The time I am the happiest is usually when I am with my kids, though. They make me happy in a way I’ve never felt before because I’ve never loved anything the way I love them. The trick with happiness is trying to not allow it to be dependent on outside circumstances. Again, happiness is an inside job. Wherever you go…there you are. So, you really have to do the work. I’ve been happy in some of the most painful situations.

Autumn is upon us, and Mother Nature’s annual carnival of colors is in full swing. From September through November, “Leaf Peepers” traverse backcountry roads across the nation (and world) just to catch a glimpse of mosaic landscapes adorned with shades of red, orange and gold. When we stop to notice and appreciate the beauty around us, we can elevate our sense of awe and wonder, stoking our altruistic and prosocial behaviors.   Arkansas The Natural State boasts a fall foliage season that lasts well into November. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s Kerry Ann Kraus, the best time to visit is late October. The state’s most popular scenic views are in the Ozark National Forest in northwest and central Arkansas and the Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas. For fantastic peeping opportunities, Kerry recommends taking the road less traveled and venturing to east Arkansas’ St. Francis National Forest. For updates on the state’s changing colors while you plan your trip, bookmark Arkansas.com. California Yosemite National Park is a nice place to visit any time of the year, but if you’re a leaf peeper, there’s nowhere else to be in autumn. With smaller crowds, cool weather and vividly colored maple, dogwood, aspen and oak trees, the park is perfect for enjoying the scenery in solitude. A bike ride through Yosemite Valley is an excellent way to take in the fall color and enjoy Yosemite’s granite peaks. If you are looking to feed your foodie appetite, don’t miss the 32nd annual Vintners’ Holidays food and wine event at The Ahwahnee, which begins in early November. Visit TravelYosemite.com for more great ideas for your Yosemite trip. Japan If you want to take your leaf peeping global, travel to Japan for “momijigari,” or “autumn leaf hunting,” and behold some of the season’s most brilliant colors. A popular destination for tourists and sightseers, Shiretoko National Park was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations to preserve its natural beauty. One of the most beautiful and untouched forests in the world is in eastern Hokkaido on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Roads go only three-fourths into the peninsula, but you can view the Shiretoko mountain range’s leaves by boat or on a leisurely drive through Shiretoko Pass. To learn more, go to Shiretoko.asia. Massachusetts The Northeast is a well-known hot spot for leaf peepers, and Massachusetts is no exception. Just a few weeks after Labor Day, the more muted and distinctive array of colors in popular travel destinations like Cape Cod and Nantucket begin to make their annual appearance. According to travel writer William DeSousa, the leaves change more slowly in that region, leading to longer visits and more time to peep. The colors also provide a beautiful backdrop for area festivals, including the Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival and the Nantucket Cranberry Festival. Go to MassVacation.com to learn about the state’s exciting fall activities. Vermont Leaf peeping in Vermont is serious business, with almost 3.6 million people descending upon the Green Mountain State every fall to see it turn red. With nearly three-quarters of the state forested, Vermont claims the highest concentration of sugar maples, producing spectacular scenes of crimson and bronze. Country road and small-town touring are must-do’s for any leaf peeper. And no trip is complete without a visit to the town of Burke, where every year, the city pays homage to autumn with its annual Fall Foliage Festival. Travel tip: Columbus Day weekend is the busiest of the year. For more planning information, go to VermontVacation.com.

Mia St. John understands tragic grief. Her son, Julian, who suffered from schizophrenia, committed suicide in 2014. Just last year, Julian’s father and Mia’s ex-husband actor Kristoff St. John passed away as well. After such loss, it’s understandable how someone could stumble back into old habits and break 30 years of sobriety. But for Mia, a world champion boxer and mental health advocate, she knew she had to get better. “There was a point where I thought that I would not recover and I was at my lowest low,” she said. “There was nowhere to go, I felt, but up. That's my personality. I always have felt that when I feel like I have no lower, I feel like I have no choice, but to pick myself up and fight on.” And she has. Mia is a staunch advocate for shining the light on the stigma of mental health and bringing its sufferers out of the darkness. Through her charitable organization, the Mia St. John Foundation, she helps those with mental health issues find dignity and purpose. She gives talks all over the country bringing awareness about the importance of mental health as well what to look for when someone is suffering, such as disinterest in normal activities, irrational speech, less interaction or any talk of suicide and depression. “Pay attention to that call for attention,” she says. What inspired you to become an advocate for mental health? I've always been interested mental health. My degree is in Psychology. My profession was as a fighter and I had always had interests in mental health, especially after my son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After the death of my son, I realized how inadequate our mental health facilities are in the state of California. … I feel that to shut them down is not the answer, but to reform them instead. Who taught you the most about happiness and why? My sister, Leslie, who's deeply spiritual, taught me the most about happiness. The second person who taught me the most about happiness is Deepak Chopra. He has helped to guide my meditation. When is the last time you laughed out loud? I laughed out loud this morning. What is your go-to book, movie or TV show that lifts your mood? My go-to movie to lift my mood is The Stillness Is You. It's a very short film that you can buy on YouTube. Every time I feel down, it brings me up. What is the kindest act someone has ever done for you? We have just had a lot of like really dedicated fans who have remained loyal throughout the years and always manage to brighten my day with their sweet messages. What are you passionate about? I am passionate about traveling the world. As a 5-time boxing world champion, I was able to go to so many different countries and experience many different cultures. I love nature—from waterfalls, to the mountains, to the ocean, to the sunsets. How do you make others close to you happy? I make others happy by being happy myself, leading as an example. I always want to show an example of positivity. If I am happy, then I will inevitably help others around me to be happy. Where is your happy place? My happy place is in nature, by the water.

Growing up in Detroit taught Angela Lewis that anything can be achieved with hard work and passion. The stage and screen actor has starred in numerous hit shows including Code Black, The Last Ship and The Good Wife. Currently, you can check out her gripping performance as Louise Saint in John Singleton’s latest series Snowfall on FX. Coming from such a strong and caring family, Angela says she was shielded from a lot of “noise” that creeps though beleaguered big cities like Detroit. Finding the right mindset to play the lovelorn, drug-addicted Louise seemed like a challenge for Angela at first, but she turned to compassion to breathe life into the character. “I wanted for everyone to not disregard her and women like her and be able to see her from a compassionate place and human place,” Angela says. “That became really important to me and was the reason I wanted to love her, even if no one else was going to love her. She deserved love.” The cathartic process even opened her own eyes to how easily we can write people off because of their unfortunate circumstances. She believes we all can all be happier in life with a little more love. Who taught you the most about happiness and why? I taught myself the most about happiness through life experience. I certainly have role models and people who I have looked to for examples of this or that. In terms of what makes me happy? I have to go deep and explore the inner workings of myself, because no one can give you happiness. You have to find that on your own; you have to know that it comes from inside you. I’ve learned that the hard way, but I have certainly learned. What do you do to pay if forward? Now that I have a platform, so to speak, I’ve got my eyes open and my ears open for a specific organization or a couple of organizations that I can really connect with and believe in, so they will be able to have a louder voice and longer reach. How do you make others close to you happy? I like to encourage people to be their best selves. I remember I had a birthday party recently and one of my friends said, “I won’t wear that dress, because it’s your birthday.” I said, “Oh no, honey. You wear that dress.” Because, no one can dim my light. Everyone should show up as their best selves and shine. I don’t believe that anyone has to dim for anyone else’s light to shine. The more someone else is shining, that just gives me permission to shine. How do you like to get some down time? Going to the movies, going to see plays. We went go-kart racing recently. I haven’t done that in years. I like to go roller skating, I like to go to dinner with my husband or my friends. All kinds of things. Where is your happy place? This may sound cheesy, but my happy place is anywhere with love. That could be with my husband, if it’s just us two here at home, or overseas somewhere, when I am with my close girlfriends or my family. I think of myself as a pretty happy person. Recently l went to see Amma. She travels the world and gives hugs. I went to visit her for the first when she was in Los Angeles. It was such a beautiful experience, and I was there with my husband and a friend of mine. I met a couple new friends. Eventually we were surrounded by swarms of people I didn’t know, but there was so much love and joy in that space that it was really incredible. Wherever there is love, that is my happy place.

It was in the aftermath of a gut-wrenching divorce when it finally clicked for Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Suspecting she was too self-absorbed, she left for India on a four-month sojourn, volunteering at an orphanage for girls with disabilities. It was this life-changing experience that inspired the successful Broadway conductor to create Artists Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP), an organization that effects social change through the arts. “When I was there [in India] I developed a reality check,” Mary-Mitchell says. “I realized that I was responsible for what I had learned, and I was going to end up changing things to match that responsibility.” Through the magic of poetry, song, dance and the visual arts, volunteer ASTEP artists, largely found by word-of mouth or by asteponline.org, travel to places like India, Africa and the Philippines, teaching health education and life skills to impoverished children. “We aren’t using the arts to make [the children] artists per se,” she says. “We are using the arts to help them think like artists—to be innovative in their ways of problem solving.” For example, a song might be inspired by a classic Broadway melody, but it teaches the children all the details of HIV—and how to protect themselves. Mary-Mitchell says her months in the orphanage not only spawned ASTEP but helped redefine who she is. The organization’s latest initiative is an annual young people’s conference to address issues such as the environment and poverty—and how the arts can bring about change. “Our goal [going forward] is to fulfill the commitment to the kids—to see them through to a different life—helping them imagine a different life. ASTEP has given me perspective,” she says. “And a sense of purpose. And a lot of joy.”

Backstreet Boy Howie D has been connecting with people through music all over the world for more than two decades. In what he considers a gift, the ability to make people happy with his voice makes him happy. While raising his first child, James, he noticed he found it difficult to make that musical connection with his son. Like most challenges in his life, he wanted to figure out a solution. On July 12, Howie’s solo family-friendly album Who Am I? will be released. “There was not much out there that we could both relate to,” he says. “I created this album for parents to enjoy with their kids.” The subject matter on the album speaks to the different challenges Howie faced when he was a kid. Songs such as “The Me I'm Meant To Be” and “No Hablo Espanol,” speak to self-confidence and bullying issues kids deal with today as well as overcoming obstacles to help them find their true selves. Howie is planning on transforming the album into a live-action musical at the Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska by January 2020. Who has taught you the most about happiness? I would probably have to give my amazing wife, Leigh, the credit. When I met her, she helped me to focus on positive energy and putting positivity out in the universe. She helped me learn to not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Instead, just live in the moment. How to you like to make others happy? I’ve noticed, through music, we’ve been able to bring joy to many people’s lives. Being blessed with a voice to makes people happy is a gift from God. What do you do to pay it forward? I work 365 days a year. I am kind to everyone I meet. I always treat people with respect and believe in the motto, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What is the kindest act someone has ever done for you? My wife, Leigh, giving me the gift of my two amazing children. What are you passionate about? My music, my family and living in the moment. When is the last time you laughed outload? I am always laughing and having a good time. I always get a kick out of when my sons play practical jokes on each other. What is your “go to” book, movie or TV show to boost your mood? Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or The Outsiders. Where is your happy place? At home with my kids and family … or on vacation!

In a time when all of us are looking for more time, Jake Knapp is an anomaly. Although he was once just as stressed and pressed for time as the rest of us, Jake found a way to reinvent his approach to how he spends his day. Jake, a tech designer who spent 10 years at Google building products like Gmail and Google Hangouts, used that same innovative approach to tackling what might be the biggest mystery yet: time. He applied his design skills to his daily routine and figured out how we can design our days to get more out of them. He then teamed up with fellow tech designer John Zeratsky to write Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day to let others in on the secret of how to make more of their day. Live Happy: This is such a relevant book, because I don't know a single person who says they have too much time on their hands anymore. Are we busier than we used to be, or is it the way we're structuring our time? What's going on with us in time? Jake Knapp: I don't know. I think there's probably some element of the human experience, at least in modern industrial age, that has probably always felt really busy and there's always been a lot of stress, I think. There is definitely something going on with our technology and the rate at which we're improving our ability to be distracted these days. Also, I think our culture, more and more, accepts busyness and expects busyness, especially in the United States. If you're in the United States, you're used to asking people how they are and hearing, “I'm busy.” That can be good or bad or whatever, but that's the standard answer. LH: What really sets your book apart is that you're not talking about time management. Can you explain that to us? JK: My background is as a designer and I think a lot about how to try to design things so they'll be easy for people to do and work well for what people want to accomplish, which is how we get into this fix where technology is so compelling and so distracting. It's also a way to take control of things. With time management, the word that people associate with it is being productive. How can I get the most things done in the least amount of time? The way that I'm talking about it is actually about being purposeful, instead of productive. It's picking that one thing that really excites you each day, one thing that you want to have bring your full attention to and then making a time for it on your calendar and defending some space for it. Then everything's designed around that. It becomes the focal point. We call it the highlight of your day and everything builds off of that one central design piece. It's almost like in Instagram, the highlights of Instagram are probably the photos and the highlight of your inbox maybe is each e-mail. For us, in the making time process, the highlight is that one thing that's the most excites you each day. LH: For a lot of us, the thing that's most exciting is not the thing that dominates our day. How do you balance those two things? JK: I should probably say it can't always be the most exciting thing. Sometimes it's going to be the thing that's most satisfying, and maybe your day realistically is going to be dominated by some big project at work. Perhaps you're a bit stressed about it. I can't tell you how many times in my past I've talked to people, or I've had this experience myself where I know I have to do something. It's really important and it's the most important thing for the day at work. Yet at the end of the day, I haven't done it somehow. I look back and I think, “Gosh, I was answering e-mails and I was talking to people,” but somehow I kept putting off that hard, big project that I knew was really important. Sometimes it'll be really satisfying to do that thing that you've got to do, but whenever possible I want to encourage people to prioritize something that they might not otherwise get to. Start off the day by saying, “If the day was over and I was looking back on it, what would I like to say was the highlight of my day?” Occasionally, it will be that work project, but sometimes it's going to be that thing that was really fun, that hobby you wanted to get to, or spending time with your kids. That's really the promise of it is when you start to be able to harness this idea of highlighting to do those things that otherwise get deprioritized. LH: How do you use this concept to regain control and get back on track with your day? JK: Well, one of the most important things about this concept is that it is day-by-day. There is no week-long plan, or month – It's not a big master plan. It’s, “let's look at today and see what's possible today.” I think that already helps a lot. Not feeling you're building a big suspension bridge and if one piece falls apart, the whole thing collapses. Rather, you're just saying like, “For today, what's workable and what's doable?” Also, I think it's important to be realistic during the day. A lot of times for me, the thing I set out to have – be my highlight at the beginning of the day is something happens, things come up. Life is like that. At the end of the day when I reflect back on what's happened, I'll say, “Oh, yeah. This this other thing took its place, but that thing was really important, really urgent.” My kid got sick, or last week it was our puppy who got sick. Part of what happens is that, at least for me, I stopped feeling guilty about not doing the things that were important. I start having a better relationship with my own attention, because I've said this is the thing that's most important to me today. If I do it, great. If I don't, I can at least look back and say, “Well, I know why because there was this clear headline.” LH: One thing that you say is crucial to being able to make time is to start identifying the things in our lives that are worth making time for. How do we start that process? JK: Knowing what the highlight is, is really important. For me, a great exercise to start off with is making a list of the projects that you have in your life, just in any order. Anything could be a project. For me, being a dad is a project and writing a book is a project. I often have one or two work-related projects going on at a time. There might be something else going on at home and you can just list out all of those. Then make yourself put them in priority order. At this moment, like it doesn't have to be for your whole life. Just saying right now, this week, or today, what's the top priority of these projects? Just make a numbered list and draw a circle around that top thing and really – I really encourage people when they're doing this to think about that thing that you feel you've put off, that you've been like, “Gosh, some day it would be really great if I could get back to painting, or get back to practicing the saxophone, or someday if I could spend more time with my kids, it would be so great.” Well, put that thing at the top of the list. Then every chance you get, every day when you choose to highlight, see if there's a way to make time for that thing, that top priority. Even if it's something that usually gets put off. I think that's a really powerful way to start. Then day-to-day, I usually suggest people look for whatever's going to be the most satisfying at the end of the day. Something that will probably take 60 to 90 minutes usually makes a good highlight. LH: What's the one thing that you want everyone to take with them? JK: It is extremely important in our world to look at the default settings. Look at the way that things are set up, the ways that you handle e-mail, the ways that you interact with social media, the ways you spend your time and ask which of those things really have to be the way that they are. If you start to question some of those things, you really can take control of your time. Time is – it's your life, so you should take control of it.