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About the Wake Up Happy guest speakers

Don't miss the May Wake Up Happy series!Dani DiPirro is an author, blogger, and designer living in a suburb of Washington, DC. In 2009, she launched the websitePositivelyPresent.comwith the intention of sharing her insights about living a positive and present life (something that didn’t always come easy to her!).Anything and everything focused on positive personal development has a home on Positively Present including: tips for being more positive; advice for living in the moment; articles on how positivity can improve you; information on positive personal development; insights on how to share positivity with others; and resources and inspiration for being positively present.In 2012, Dani left her full-time job in Marketing to pursue a career with Positively Present. Since then, she has self-publishedStay Positive: Daily Reminders from Positively Present(learn more atStayPositive365.com) and publishedThe Positively Present Guide to Lifewith Watkins Publishing. Dani has also created e-books on specific topics such as self-love, holiday planning, and organization. She is currently working on her next book.Dani and her work have been featured in a variety of websites and print media, includingGlamour,The Washington Post Express,Forbes,The Huffington Post,The Globe and Mail, andThe Happiness Project. In 2015, Dani was featured byELLE Magazineas a Coach of the Month, writing weekly articles for the publication on mindfulness.While expanding her career as an author and blogger, Dani also began learning about graphic design and illustration. In 2012 she took her firstNicole’s Classescourse online and fell in love with creating illustrations, typography, and design. She has since launched a design studio,Twenty3,in which she creates downloadable content onEtsy, designs products forSociety 6, and works withindividuals and businessesto help create modern, uplifting illustrations and designs.When she’s not designing, blogging, or writing, Dani can be found with her head in a book (check out what she’s reading onGoodReads), creating images for Instagram (follow her on@positivelypresent), or pinning like a madwoman (take a peek at herPinterestboards).Arthur Woods is an entrepreneur, speaker and writer on the future of work. He is the co-founder and COO ofImperative, the first professional platform to help people manage a fulfilling career. Arthur's deep expertise engaging the millennial generation has enabled him to lead both the conversation and innovation around the next generation of work. His efforts have been featuredin Forbes,Fast Company, Huffington Post, Washington Post and ABC7’s Washington Business Tonight.Arthur previously led operations forYouTube EDUatGooglewhere he oversaw operations ofYouTube for Schools,managed the development of YouTube’s first guide for education and co-organized YouTube’s inaugural Education Summit.He previously co-founded theCompass Fellowship, the world's largest collegiatesocial enterprise training program, inover 18 universities worldwide. He also co-foundedOut in Tech, the largesttechnology meet-up for New York's LGBT community.Arthur studied Operations and information Management at Georgetown University and Project Management at Stanford University. He is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and sits on the Boards of the Sierra Institute, Georgetown TechnologyAlliance and Compass Partners.Mitchel Adler, Psy.D., CGP is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist and the creator of MindBody Intelligence™ (MBI). He has served on the faculty of the UC Davis School of Medicine andis co-author of the book,Promoting Emotional Intelligence in Organizations(ASTD press) and other research articles.As a professional speaker and consultant, Dr. Adler has worked with numerous organizations including the USDA Forest Service, the City of Sacramento, The UC Davis, Graduate School of Management, The Monitor Group, the Organizational Development Network of Sacramento, and Calgene, Inc. As a member of the steering committee of California’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award Program, Dr. Adler participated in reviewing and selecting organizations that supported their employees in outstanding ways. He also has a private psychotherapy practice in Davis, California where he works with individuals and facilitates psychotherapy groups.As a staff psychologist at the University of California at Davis, Dr. Adler co-developed the university’s mind-body wellness program and established the inter-departmental mind-body wellness task force. He also created and facilitated mind-body workshops, seminars, and groups, as well as trained psychologists, social workers, physicians, and nurses in mind-body theory and interventions.Dr. Adler has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology fromthe Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers Universitywhere he was the recipient of the GSAPP Scholar’s Award, the Graduate Scholar’s Award, and the GSAPP Alumni Scholarship. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he graduated with Distinction and was a James B. Angell Scholar.Thomas Bradbury is a Professor of Clinical Psychology. After earning his PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1990 from the University of Illinois, he moved to Los Angeles to start the Marriage and Family Development Laboratory at UCLA. Since then, Bradbury and his team have conducted several longitudinal studies that help explain how marriages change and how couples can keep their relationship healthy and strong. With funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the John Templeton Foundation, Bradbury and his collaborators have published more than 100 research articles and three edited books, including The Psychology of Marriage.Recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award from the UCLA Psychology Department, Bradbury has also been honored with several awards for his research on marriage and intimate relationships, including the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Achievements from the American Psychological Association. Bradbury is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at eHarmony.com, and he is an affiliated professor at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He speaks regularly at universities and conferences in the US, and he has presented his research findings in London, Cambridge, Tel Aviv, Milan, Heidelberg, Zurich, Geneva, Wellington, Christchurch, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Self-Care

Catch the Wholesome Wave

“Superfood” is a buzzword that’s been thrown around a lot recently. It’s generally used to tout the health benefits of specific nutritionally dense foods. But the folks at nonprofit Wholesome Wave have shown that in addition to being essential for vital health, fresh, locally grown produce actually has many other superpowers, as well—such as helping economically disadvantaged families stay healthier, for a start.Imagine this situation that low-income parents face daily: You rely heavily on government benefits to get food on the table, and regularly have to stretch just a few dollars to buy and cook dinner for your family. When a pack of ramen noodles costs under 20 cents and boxed mac ’n’ cheese can be had for 50 cents, a parent faced with hungry children is unlikely to choose a $2 head of organic broccoli (that she then has to prep and cook) instead of inexpensive convenience foods, which are precisely engineered to tantalize kids’ taste buds.The hidden costs of “cheap” foodThis situation is leading to a public health catastrophe, and the consequences will be immense (and costly) if it is not curtailed. Because many of the least expensive and most accessible foods are also over-processed and filled with fat, salt and sugar (as well as other additives), the number of overweight and undernourished children and adults has risen greatly, along with rates of obesity-related diseases found in very young children.Studies show that children from poor families are most likely to be obeseand mothers in food-insecure families will often limit their food intake so their children can eat, setting them up for obesity as well.Farmer, chef and healthy food advocateBy making fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables available and affordable, Wholesome Wave enables underserved community members to make healthier food choices. Founder Michel Nischan is the son of farmers who became a celebrity chef and award-winning author. He then followed his convictions and his passion, founding Wholesome Wave in 2007 in order to advocate for a more healthful, organic and sustainable food future.Innovation at workWith Nischan at the helm, Wholesome Wave has rolled out several trailblazing programs that help improve health outcomes among low-income families, generate additional revenue for small- and mid-sized farm businesses, and bolster local and regional economies—as well as reducing the ecological food footprint. Programs are currently running in 25 states and Washington, D.C., with more than 3,500 farmers and 350 markets participating.One such program, the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Programworks hand in hand with physicians, families and farmers marketsto provide resources for overweight and obese children and their families.Another, theDouble Value Coupon Programdoubles the value of low-income consumers’ federal nutrition benefits when spent at farmers markets on locally grown fruits and vegetables.Ride the Wholesome WaveIf all that great news has whet your appetite to learn more about the state of our food system and what we can do to help, follow along with the Farm to Table Cycle: A Journey for Change. Sponsored by Wholesome Wave, photographer, bicyclist and advocate Glenn Charles is taking a 16-day, 400-mile journey, cycling through New England to raise awareness about local food systems.Check the web updates to keep up with Glenn, and to learn more about farming and sustainability, dairy and livestock production, farm-to-table chefs, local food processing and institutional food purchasing.“What you will see is that "farm-to-table" is the way of the future," says Michel. "This ride tells story of so many Americans who work tirelessly to shape our food system into one that is more equitable, more sustainable and more delicious.” In Michel's estimation, and now in his own experience, “food can fix anything.”

Self-Care

How to Be Happy at 90

The number of people living in the90-and-up age bracket is the largest it has ever been and will continue to growat a record pace. Now that there aremore of us sticking around longer,promising research into our longevity isstarting to show that there are some things we can do as we age to retain a good quality ofour life. Groundbreaking study For the past decade, Dr. ClaudiaKawas, a geriatric neurologist andprofessor at the University ofCalifornia–Irvine, and a team ofresearchers have been studying theeffects of aging and dementia on people90 years of age and older in California’sLaguna Woods retirement community. One of the longest and largestpopulation studies ever conducted onthe oldest of the old, the 90+ Studyoffers interesting insights on longevitythat should make you optimistic aboutreaching the later years in your life. Whether or not we’ll be having the same discussion in 25 years aboutpeople living past the century mark,Claudia believes we will all soon bemore familiar with the term“supercentenarian." Vitamins Surprisingly, thestudy is finding supplemental vitaminsseem to have little to no effect onlongevity. This is especially true with vitamins A, C and E. Alcohol and Coffee People who drink up to two alcoholicdrinks a day have a 15 percent reducedrisk of death over their teetotaling counterparts. One to three cups ofcoffee daily are proving to be betterthan none at all. Weight As we enter our lateryears, it’s better to have a little more inthe midsection, the study is finding.People who are slightly overweight intheir 70s tend to live longer than thosewho are underweight. Exercise The less active weare, the more prone we are to developdisorders like dementia. The activitiesdon’t have to be strenuous, either—walking, dancing and even gardeningup to 45 minutes a day can add years toour lives. Leisure Activities People who spend more than threehours a day on nonphysical activities,such as reading, solving puzzles orvisiting with friends, tend to have adecrease in mortality and a lower prevalence of developing dementia.

Self-Care

7 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

It’s not breaking news that eating healthier can contribute to our happiness, but when you're working with limited funds, it’s easy to get sticker shock in the organic section. If you’re on a tight budget, it can seem impossible to afford the good stuff. Here are seven ideas that will help you shop, cook and eat healthy without breaking the bank. 1.Get with the (meal) plan Having a meal plan ensures that there are tasty and healthy options readily available. Although the long-term financial benefits of a healthy diet are huge, there are immediate monetary payoffs to meal planning as well. First, “cheap” fast food meals aren’t all that cheap when compared to a far more nutritious home-cooked dinner. Also, planning meals ahead also saves on the cost of waste. (We’ve all seen produce meet an untimely death in the back of the crisper.) Thinking ahead—and cooking ahead, such as making a large pot of stew or soup on the weekend that you can eat all week—is well worth it when it comes to healthy eating. 2. Let an app do it for you Meal planning can be tedious: finding recipes, making shopping lists....Today, a number of apps will do the work for you; many are inexpensive and some are free: Plan to Eat is under $5 per month and Pepperplate is free. Cook Smarts ($6-8/month) even provides a meal plan for you each week that can be modified based on your dietary preferences, including gluten-free, vegetarian and paleo. 3. Go fresh, go local Buying fresh, organic produce in the supermarket can add up quickly, but sticking mainly with what’s in season will save you money. When you buy apples in summer, they are shipped in from New Zealand or Chile and may cost more (not to mention the effect on the environment). Likewise, eggplants in winter are shipped in and will be less fresh and tasty, as well as more expensive. It’s definitely better to buy organic when possible, but if the cost is prohibitive, it’s better to buy non-organic fruits and vegetables than to forgo them altogether. If you can, purchase your in-season produce at a farmers market near you. One study done in Vermont showed an average of almost 40 percent savings on organic produce at farmers markets versus grocery stores. Another option to make saving even easier is joining a co-op or CSA Farm Community-Supported Agriculture), many of which will deliver locally grown, organic produce right to your doorstep, saving not only money, but time, too. If you are an omnivore, many farmers markets, CSAs and local farms are great resources for saving big on eggs and hormone-free, antibiotic-free meats. 4. The big chill Frozen vegetables will save you cold, hard cash and also taste a lot better than the canned variety. They are fantastic when you are in a pinch and need a quick, healthy side dish. Heat them up and add some olive oil and salt and pepper, if you like. Buying good quality, minimally processed frozen fish and chicken breasts can also save money and time; if you have these healthy proteins on hand, you are less likely to resort to fast food. And because frozen items last longer, there is much less risk of waste. 5. Rice and beans, a magical combination Brown rice is a powerhouse of nutrients, including B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, protein and fiber, to name a few. And at less than 15 cents for one half-cup serving of organic brown rice, it’s also a boon for those seeking a bargain. Make a large batch and store leftovers in the fridge for use during the week in a quick stir-fry, side dish, or even rice pudding for breakfast. (For those who know of brown rice’s benefits but still prefer the taste of white, no need to worry—white rice is still nutritious as well as inexpensive.) Beans and rice taste great together, but more important, they make a complete protein. Beans are chock-full of fiber, B vitamins and minerals. A one-pound bag of dried beans will only set you back about $1 and makes 10-12 servings! Whipping up some red beans and rice, or sautéing cooked lentils with seasoned spinach or kale are a couple of great ways to make a budget-friendly meal that is both tasty and healthy. 6. Meatless Mondays Most omnivores find they can sink their teeth into a hearty veggie- and grain-based meal at least once per week. Because meat is often the priciest ingredient in recipes, by going meatless on Monday (or any other day), you are not only improving your health, but your balance sheet, too. Black bean burgers and lentil tacos are delicious and filling, and mushrooms have a meaty texture that is sure to satisfy cravings. 7. Pack it in With Americans spending an average of close to $1,000 yearly on lunch (and some spending up to $5,000), brown-bagging it more often is a great way to save money and gain nutrition. Without much extra effort, packing up your healthy leftovers into individual portions makes it easy to throw together a midday meal to take to the office or heat up at home. Your co-workers will be green with envy.

People

Mom’s the Word

Hand Bethenny Frankel a lime, and she’ll make a margarita that morphs into a multimillion-dollar business in the form of her Skinnygirl line of low-calorie drinks. Hand the former Real Housewives of New York star a lemon, and she’ll make lemonade, which is exactly what she’s done since learning earlier this year that her talk show, bethenny, isn’t being renewed after just one season. Rather than despair, she wrote in a loving open letter to her fans: “What I really want now is to be with my daughter, to do yoga, to focus on Skinnygirl and my writing, and to give myself a break.”Taking time for her daughterToday, you can find Bethenny doting on four-year-old daughter Bryn in the streets of New York, time she views as invaluable for keeping her spirits up. “Parenthood gives you direction and defines you; it makes you a part of a community that’s going through the same rundown of emotions—guilt, exhaustion,” she says. “I want to be the kind of parent who looks about for the things my child does naturally in life, to embrace who she is and nurture that, whether it’s sports or music or dress-up, because if you do what you love, you’ll be happy.”From cookbooks to children's booksFor Bethenny, what she loves to do is write books. And for her latest story, Cookie Meets Peanut, she was inspired by Bryn, who she’s described as the love of her life. The children’s book is loosely based on her own experience bringing Bryn home to meet Cookie, her beloved, albeit “very particular and sassy,” Lhasa Apso.Told with equal parts wit and wisdom, the story chronicles the evolving love between a child and a dog, and how “when you bring home a new baby, your dog becomes…a dog,” she says. And, sprinkled in with the illustrations and antics to entertain tykes—think cooking with glitter—moms and dads will find words offering reassurance and advice, a task Bethenny says she’s always up for.Using her new-found wisdom“I’ve been through many difficult things,” she says, “but the difficult times are not for naught, because I can help other people.”

Well-Being

America’s Most Satisfied Cities

Gallup and Healthways asked 300 American adults a simple question: How satisfied are you with the city or area in which you live? (The poll makes up one part of the large-scaleGallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.)According to the results, residentsof the Fort Collins-Loveland area of Colorado ranked the highest incity satisfaction. Not too far behind them are folks living in San LuisObispo-Paso Robles, Calif., and Holland-Grand Haven, Mich. Infact, of the cities making the top 10 list, none is considered a majormetropolitan area. Surprisingly, climate does not appearto a affect wellbeing, since Des Moines, Iowa ranks slightly higher than Honolulu.Related polls also show that in cities with highsatisfaction rates, residents tend to be more optimistic, generally feelthat things are getting better within their communities and usuallyscore high in wellbeing, as well. Residents in these areas also have easieraccess to basic necessities such as fresh produce; engage inhealthier behaviors, including plenty of exercise; and enjoy better working environments.On a national scale, most Americans report that they aresatisfied with where they live. Even cities with the lowestsatisfaction levels have shown improvements since 2008, whenGallup andHealthways began tracking satisfaction rates.How does your community rate?1. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colorado (94.9%)2. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, California (94.1%)3. Holland-Grand Haven, Michigan (93.4%)4. Billings, Montana (93.1%)5. Boulder, Colorado (92.8%)6. Provo-Orem, Utah (92.3%) tied with ...7. Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts8. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa (92.2%)9. Madison, Wisconsin (91.9%)10. Honolulu, Hawaii (91.7%)

Well-Being

Everyday Miracles

My family came to the U.S. in 1974. When we left India, we left a culture steeped in family, traditions and community. In New York City, when we first arrived, my parents sought out Sindhi people like us, and started temple meetings in families’ homes every Sunday as a way to stay connected to their culture.You might say mindfulness is built into my family, and much of traditional Indian culture. In my family we used mantra-based meditation as part of our spiritual practice. In this technique, a specific word or a string of words are repeated; sometimes chanted or sung. This can help increase focus, calmness, an open mind and a keen sense of awareness. We would practice meditation as a group at our Sunday meetings.The word and the breathMoving to such a drastically different culture was a shock to my system. When I was 9 or 10, I used to have a hard time sleeping; I would toss and turn, and eventually wander around our house.My parents took me to the pediatrician to see if anything could be done about my insomnia, but he did not offer helpful solutions. Next they took me to see their Guru, a Sindhi spiritual teacher. The guru leaned into me and whispered in my ear, "I will tell you a secret, and this secret will help you whenever you are scared, anxious or can’t sleep. Just repeat this secret word I will give you.” Then he demonstrated this use of the word with the breath.Since that day 36 years ago, that simple word and meditation technique has helped me through school, career, having children and raising them, and the adventures of everyday life.Body and mind are testedTwo days after my son was born, when I was still in the hospital, I woke up with my heart racing—nearly beating out of my chest. It turned out I was having an arrhythmia attack, which is when your heart is racing at over 180 beats per minute; mine was closer to 250! The entire hospital staff seemed to rush around me. I was given medication, and finally had to have a defibrillator to help regulate my heart. When it seemed that they had it under control I was moved from maternity to cardiology. Then it happened again, and this time I had to be defibrillated again and taken to ICU.At the age of 30, with a two-day-old son, I felt as If I was fighting for my life. I stayed in the hospital for an extra seven days until they could figure out what was happening and why. They were days and nights when I was terrified—wondering if I would even see my son grow up. My husband, family, friends and the wonderful staff at the hospital truly helped me to get through this time. However, the greatest challenge was calming my mind. For that, it was my mantra and breath—the secret combination that the guru had taught me when I was nine years old—that helped me through those days. I am so grateful for the training and mindfulness that I had been given.Mindfulness in everyday lifeMeditation helps us to be present in everything we do. It is taking time out of our daily life to stop and seek a few minutes of silence and mindfulness. There are many ways to do this, and mantra and breath meditation are just a few ways. The happiness that I feel when I meditate multiplies, as it spreads out to my family and friends that surround me.Life is not about waiting for that one big miracle, but rather experiencing the little miracles that happen every day.AlkaKaminer is a meditation and yoga expert living in New York. She is also the co-founder of the website LiveHappyWithin.

Well-Being

And The Pursuit of Happiness

The Fourth of July is upon us, and with it, the following “self-evident” truths:That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.Since 1776, we’ve broadened the message to include groups that Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers overlooked—women and people of color, most notably. All, we now agree, enjoy the right to the “the pursuit of happiness.”But that only highlights the importance of knowing what the founders really meant by that curious phrase. The meaning, it turns out, is not as self-evident as it first might seem.American myth-bustingLet’s start by dispelling a myth. Many people will tell you that Jefferson, in penning the Declaration, made use of the old bait and switch, substituting the “pursuit of happiness” for what he really meant: the “pursuit of property.” The guy was a rich landlord, right? And the founders were wealthy men. Doesn’t it make sense that they should equate happiness with things you can get your hands on?It is certainly true that the founders had nothing against property, but there is little evidence that this is what they meant. Jefferson was a wordsmith, above all, and the draft of the Declaration that he submitted to the Continental Congress in the summer of 1776 was carefully vetted by people trained in the law, who made it their business to puzzle over each word. Not one of them puzzled or stumbled over the use of the word “happiness.” Evidently it did not seem out of place to them.And though there are places in 18th-century America where one can find the phrase “life, liberty and property,” we have to accept that if Jefferson had really meant property, he would have written it that way.What he really meantBut was the word, then, just “a glittering generality,” as a skeptic once put it, an alluring phrase that meant different things to different people, but meant nothing in itself?Jefferson, to be sure, aimed to be broad. As he explained in a letter later in his life, his aim in drafting the Declaration was to capture the “harmonizing sentiments” of the day, recording the different expressions of the “American mind.”The “pursuit of happiness” was one of those harmonizing sentiments. And though it had more than a single meaning, it is important to appreciate that in the 18th century, the phrase also had a certain common sense. The use of the word itself was not revolutionary.Jefferson and the Founding Fathers understood happiness in terms of pleasure and pain, and they freely granted that human beings ought to be at liberty to pursue the one and to flee the other however they best saw fit. They also shared the widespread sentiment that real happiness was to be captured not just by grasping after pleasant things.Happiness can be found in virtueWhere then did they hope to find it? On this, the founders all agreed. “Happiness is the aim of life,” Jefferson declared, typically, “but virtue is the foundation of happiness.” Virtue and happiness are “mother and daughter,” Benjamin Franklin agreed. John Adams was equally clear. “All sober inquirers after truth,” he insisted, “ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue….”Just what precisely the founders meant by virtue is complicated in its own right. To pursue happiness effectively meant cultivating character and “right conduct,” generosity and friendship, a sense of duty, purpose, and belonging (to one’s fellow human beings, to one’s community, to one’s God). The best way to pursue happiness was to find it within.Jefferson and the founders understood that simple wisdom; we could stand to recall it. Too often, we set out, hoping to find our happiness beyond us—in other people, other places, other things. Instead we would be wise to look within.

Well-Being

Better Together

Recently the Live Happy staff decided to take a painting class together.(We were inspired by our own story, “Let It Go,” in the June issue.)As part of the class, we had pre-chosen a piece of artwork for inspirationand then were led step by step through the painting process by a seasoned pro.At the end of our session, we lined up three deep, holding our creations for aseries of phone photos. The wall opposite us was mirrored, so when we held upour paintings in front of our faces for the last shot, I could see what the camerasaw by peeking around my still-tacky canvas. Without our faces in thepicture, our paintings, deeply colored and graphic, popped together—likepieces of a puzzle. “They’re better together,” I thought.Perhaps this came to mind because we were currently working on thisissue, which has a community theme. Communities can be a major sourceof happiness, support and joy. If we’re fortunate, we’re born into aloving, caring community and then grow up and raise our families inequally good ones.When we’re happy at work, it often means that our co-workers and we are also a community. When we stand uptogether—to cheer a local team, sing a song of praise, run for a causeor toast a neighborhood friend on his 80th—we feel the bonds ofcommunity.Communities are as different as we are as individuals,but they all have this in common: It takes two or more people tomake a community. We’re better together.Our paintings are now hanging in the Live Happy office, groupedtogether into one bold statement of happiness and unity.Whether you’re reading Live Happy or have visitedlivehappy.com for the first or 20th time, you are part of agrowing community of people that cares about happiness.We’re better together!

Well-Being

The Happy Guy

I didn’t realize that so many people saw me as happy. True, I prefer tosmile instead of frown, and I seek the best in people and situationsrather than the worst. And I love to laugh. (In fact, I’ve been told noone laughs harder at my jokes than me!)As I told everyone I was becoming the CEO and co-founder of anew company called Live Happy, without pause, their reaction was thesame: “You are perfect for that.”One close friend said to me, “Kym, from now on you will be knownas ‘The Happy Guy.’ ” I looked at him and nodded. Eventually, if youlove what you do and you’re good at it, you will become known as thatguy. Of all the labels I could have, I’ll take that one, and I’ll take fullresponsibility for it.Though already humming along, with a national magazine as richand inspiring as it is beautiful, and a vibrant website covering all angles of happiness, Live Happy is still in its nascent stage. I am soexcited about everything we have in store for you in the coming weeksand months, including a new clothing line, events and communityoutreach programs.It is a supreme honor to work with the truly gifted andaccomplished staff here at Live Happy. Deborah Heisz, ourCOO and co-founder, and Karol DeWulf Nickell, editor inchief, bring decades of experience and tremendous talent toLive Happy, ensuring you have the guidance you needto experience authentic happiness.And, without exception, every one of us hereat Live Happy feels privileged to work with you tomake our planet a happier place.

About the Wake Up Happy guest speakers

Catch the Wholesome Wave

How to Be Happy at 90

7 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Mom’s the Word

America’s Most Satisfied Cities

Everyday Miracles

And The Pursuit of Happiness

Better Together

The Happy Guy

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