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“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.”So said Chuang Tzu, preeminent Taoist thinker, some 2,500 years ago. Nonetheless, many of us actively seek out happiness in self-help books, courses, new age practices, and with the help of life coaches.Yet we are constantly bombarded with negative messages: angsty status updates from friends and family on Facebook and Twitter, awful news headlines, and advertising that plays on our worst insecurities. Our response: switch off, log-out, and block.How often do you read a bad-news article and feel powerless to help, disengaged from your community or from the larger world, or too overwhelmed by personal responsibilities to actively respond by volunteering, donating, or carrying on the conversation? It could be argued that shutting out larger world problems is actually a way of retreating further away from fulfilling your true potential as a person.Self-actualization is a term originally created by organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein. By realizing your full potential you can reach some sort of enlightenment that allows you to actively live the best life possible for yourself. Let’s specifically reference the 19 Characteristics of Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizer.Maslow’s theory entails 19 unique characteristics he found to be consistent within each of his subjects that have been developed into advice on how one self-actualizes. The foundation of Maslow’s theory is that you not only must understand what is preventing your happiness but you need to face, and resolve, those issues as well. This notion suggests that by avoiding, or retreating, from the issues hindering your happiness you are merely prolonging the process.1. Perception of RealityThe first trait is that of a superior relationship with reality. This means he or she understands that the unknown is a part of reality and not only is he or she comfortable with that but he or she embraces it with open arms.2. AcceptanceThe next is the idea that he or she simply accepts himself or herself unconditionally. So much so that the whole idea doesn’t even cross his or her mind.3. SpontaneityThe third coincides with the first in that a self-actualized individual’s behavior is natural and it is not dictated by a forced agenda. In other words, he or she does not take actions simply for the reason of being a plot device that is meant to cause a specific reaction.4. Problem CenteringSelf-actualizers tend to have goals and a mission in life. They have small things they would like to accomplish in the short-term and large overarching things they would like to accomplish in the long run.5. SolitudeSelf-actualizers also tend to value their privacy and time alone slightly more than the average individual.6. AutonomyThe sixth trait is that of independence from the need for external accolades or praise. A self-actualizer has realized that inner growth and self-development are much more pertinent to life than these things.7. Fresh AppreciationSelf-actualizing people are able to maintain the appreciation of a child experiencing something new even for the most basic experiences in life. They never allow themselves to feel like they are simply going through the motions.8. Peak ExperiencesThis is the groove that you get into when you are in your element and your focus has never been better. Self-actualizers allow themselves to reach this state more often than most.9. Human KinshipThe ninth trait is the characteristic of universal empathy. Self-actualizers feel as though everyone is family and they have a human connection with every individual they encounter.10. Humility and RespectSelf-actualizing people tend to be as humble as they come. They are able to befriend all types of people and could be described as unable to see the superficial differences that are often so important to the average person.11. Interpersonal RelationshipsThough they have a connection with mostly everyone, self-actualizers often have small circles of close loved ones. The love they feel for these few is profound and unwavering.12. EthicsPlain and simple, self-actualizing people have very distinct beliefs on right and wrong and they religiously do what they believe is right.13. Means and EndsSelf-actualizers are true believers in the saying “a means to an end.” They are fixated on ends and not preoccupied with the means.14. HumorThey are not amused by hostile, superiority, or authority-rebellion humor and don’t usually consider what the average individual finds to be funny to be funny.15. CreativityMaslow simply states that this is a universal trait throughout all people who were studied. But basically, self-actualized people find outlets where they can successfully exercise their creativity.16. Resistance of EnculturationSelf-actualizers naturally resist enculturation and maintain a distance from the culture they are immersed in. Due to their non-bias nature in all facets of life it makes it difficult for them to be consumed by such a subjective matter.17. ImperfectionsIt is important to note that self-actualizers are not perfect. They have negative and mundane characteristics just like everyone else, but they are aware of them and use that knowledge to their advantage.18. ValuesSelf-actualized people have a strong set of values that they keep close to their heart. These beliefs tend to indoctrinate their lives so that everything they do fits within them.19. Resolution of DichotomiesThe final trait is the idea that the line between selfishness and selflessness disappears because in reality every act is both selfish and selfless.Now, before you start to worry about having all of these traits yourself, remember that this was one man’s conclusion from one study. It’s difficult to say that all self-actualized people have all 19 of these traits all the time. After all, doesn’t trait number six claim that a self-actualizer wouldn’t be bothered by Maslow’s classification anyway?The point is that all of these traits have one theme in common: they are all choices that can be made. You can choose whether or not to be terrified by the unknown, whether you want to be limited by society’s standards, limited to your daily responsibilities, or whether you want to take a little leap of faith and start doing something more. Instead of striving for immediate happiness, we might reframe our feelings of discontent in the face of terrifying news headlines and remember that we are part of it, we are connected, and there is someone, somewhere who we could lend a hand to in some small, manageable way.Once you know what you feel would make the future a little better for the world, following through, reaching out to people, nonprofits, and community groups and offering a little time or expertise or money is a tangible step toward achieving self-actualization.Phillip Sontag is an editor at Idealist, currently one of the world’s preeminent organizations for connecting nonprofits worldwide with more than a million people each month who can imagine a better future. Visit Idealist.org to find out more.

Two women are on a journey to discover what makes Americans happy.

relationships

Walking the Talk

Ancient Chinese poet and philosopher Lao-Tzu stated that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. For Paula Francis and Linda Wheatley, two women from Vermont who really want to have a conversation with you, the journey of 8,000 miles starts with a single idea of spreading awareness that everyone has the inalienable right to pursue happiness. A journey of discovery Instead of lobbying for change in government halls, these co-founders of Gross National Happiness USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the use of wellbeing indicators to measure progress, are traversing the country, talking to everyone they see about what makes them happy. Their hope is that by changing enough minds to focus on happiness and wellbeing, we can ultimately shift the way we govern and live. “A couple of years ago, Paula and I realized that if we are claiming to be measuring what matters [in life], then we really can’t presume that we know what that is,” Linda says. “We both liked the idea of walking for a purpose and doing something epic.” Linda and Paula believe that instead of measuring the temperature of the country solely based on economic growth, we should be crafting communities and economies that support wellbeing. Once people are happier, relationships get stronger, people are healthier and live longer and productivity increases. Talking to America “When we talk to people about happiness, we are really serious about it,” Paula says. “When we get in deeper conversation, we find a lot more commonality to what matters to people.” So, with unforgiving pavement beneath their feet, supplies strapped to their backs and a thousand miles already under their belts, Paula and Linda have made The Happiness Walk not just a project but a calling to spread their message. “We are finding that people are really ripe for [the Gross National Happiness] conversation,” Linda says. “There is a lot of wisdom out there.…We are building on this collective movement to a happier and healthier way of life together.” The kindness of strangers The happy hikers are finding that people really care most about other people. So much so, that they say they couldn’t have made it this far without the kindness and generosity of others. Whether that is an offer of a place to stay for the evening, a meal at a diner or even the gift of Band-Aids for blistered feet, they’ve found that those they encounter are eager and happy to help. Common conversations “We hear things that really aren’t that surprising,” Paula says. “We are hearing that people and relationships are important…and that family members are the absolute top priority.” She says love, health, caring for others and nature are common themes to their conversations. “That’s why we are not going at this from a policy angle. That’s why we are walking, person to person, one mile at a time,” Paula says. “We are engaging people in conversation, encouraging people to…continue to be curious about what we are talking about” and take positive actions to make more time for the things that matter to them. To learn where Linda and Paula will be next, go to happinesswalk.com.

Self-Care

6 Easy Ways to Improve Your Social Life

When we spend time with family, have drinks after work with friends, or even reconnect by phone with an old friend, we don't need a scientific paper to tell us we feel great! Recent research by psychology professor Barbara Fredrickson shows that even casual positive interactions with acquaintances can cause a major lift in spirits. And the more of these little happy hits we get, the better. In fact, relationships are so important in positive psychology, they make up the "R" in PERMA (the model of thriving developed by Dr. Martin Seligman). We know that spending time with people we care about improves our well-being, and yet some of us may need a bit of a nudge to break us out of our hermit tendencies. Here is your nudge, in six parts: 1. Invite a co-worker out for lunch If someone is new to your workplace, make them feel welcome by inviting them for lunch. Or maybe you have the kind of office where most people eat while working at their desks every day. Gather a group together and go out one Friday—sit in the sunshine and chat about anything but work. 2. Meet a friend for coffee We all fall into ruts and routines; we tend to see just the same few people over and over—often just our families and co-workers. What about that friend you like but never get around to seeing? Give him or her a call and arrange a coffee date. Catch up on what's new while strengthening your relationship. Facebook is great, but nothing beats actual face-to-face contact for staying in touch. 3. Host a dinner party Sure, this is a little more ambitious, but you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to have a few friends over for dinner. Start small with perhaps just four or five people. Make as much of the meal ahead of time as you can, and be sure you have enough essentials on hand, such as napkins, chairs and silverware—preferably not when the party is five minutes from starting. If you don’t like to cook much, buy high-quality prepared food such as rotisserie chicken or cooked salmon from the market. Toss a salad, buy a baguette and some wine and you’re golden. 4. Join the club Many studies, as well as anecdotal evidence, show that people who enjoy the sense of belonging and camaraderie you get from a group or community gain immense benefits in terms of well-being—even recovering more quickly after a stroke or other illness. It doesn’t matter if it’s a religious congregation, a book club, a sports team … getting together with like-minded people on a regular basis is good for your physical and mental health. 5. Go solo Don’t let a lack of compadres stop you from hitting the town. So many restaurants now have counters or bars where you can comfortably sit as a single and watch the goings-on all around you. And even if they don’t, you have the right to occupy a table and enjoy a great meal as much as any family of six. Bring a book or tablet and read if you feel you need something to keep you occupied while you eat. As for going to movies, plays or museums alone, for many this is the only way to go! Enjoy the entertainment and your own company, while at the same time putting yourself out there in the public sphere and inviting the possibility of meeting someone with similar interests. 6. Turn off your computer The incredible conveniences of 21st-century technology are undeniable. Yes, you barely need to leave your house to buy pretty much anything under the sun. You can order up food to be delivered, and download movies right to your computer or TV. But doing so has a cost in human interaction, or lack thereof. According to research from the University of British Columbia, even so-called “weak ties," casual interactions like the kind that occur at your local Starbucks or corner market, are important for social and emotional well-being. (This dovetails with Barbara Fredrickson's research, mentioned above.) Instead of buying something online, go to a bookstore or record shop. If a store is independently owned, you have a better chance of real interaction and recommendations from the people working there. Get out there and be among the people!

Self-Care

I’m So Sorry

I have to admit, apologizing for something I've done wrong is not my forte.Which is why, when I found myself confronted by a situation recently in which I had clearly spoken out in anger and reaction, and I needed to make an apology, I was literally writhing within my skin.Playing defense?As I ran my apology in my head I kept hearing myself sneak in reason and justifications into my apology about why I had done what I did. I noticed myself using the phrase “I’m sorry but…” which is really to say, “I’m not sorry at all” or “it’s actually your fault.”My posture was defensive. My body was guarded. The bottom line was, I hated being wrong.And this is where I think we get into trouble and stick ourselves. Just because you are saying “I’m sorry, I was wrong, I should not have said or done that” does not make you, as a being on this earth, wrong. You are not wrong empirically. But what you have said or done may not be creating what it is that you desire to create.Thinking of the futureIf you wish to have ease and trust with your sister, taking her clothes without asking may not be the best way of acheiving that goal. If you wish to create rancor and disharmony, then well done! There is no right or wrong action, only an awareness that every choice you make helps creates your future. If you have made a choice that is pushing you toward a collision with a friend, colleague or loved-one, then an apology—a true apology—is one of the fastest ways to redirect.I have been studying consciousness and tools to create more ease in life for many years. When it came time to make my apology, I had to give myself a little refresher course on where to begin.A true apologyIf you would like to create an apology, a true apology in which the energy of the conflict changes, there are a few key things to remember:1. Lower your barriers. Push down anything that makes you want to protect or defend yourself. You can’t make a real apology while you are guarded. You must be willing to receive all energies without going into defense.2. Cut out all your reasons and justifications. It doesn’t matter “why” you chose to eat your dad’s pie or say something rude, the point is, you did it! “But” and “because” do not belong in a true apology. “But” negates whatever you said previously in the sentence and “because” takes you back into justification land. Neither belong as part of your “I’m sorry.”3. Try using the phrase “I’m sorry. I was wrong. What can I do to make up for the damage I’ve done?” If done sincerely, it is an incredibly powerful phrase. “What can I do to make up for the damage I’ve done” gives the other person the chance to look at what they require from you to move past whatever occurred. Try it!While acknowledging you were wrong or apologizing is not necessarily fun, it’s sometimes required. Sometimes you are wrong—at least from their point of view.Trying to make it rightI made my apology this morning. It wasn’t easy, but I’m still alive! And the space and lightness in my universe has expanded. I’m very grateful for this choice.I may have a ways to go when it comes to apologizing, but even a difficult apology is better than just remaining self-righteous and creating distance with people who are important to me. So I’ll keep practicing.Is there anything in your life you need to apologize for? What would it create if you were willing to acknowledge when you are wrong?This post was originally published on MariaShriver.com. The tools within this blog come from Access Consciousness®. Blossom Benedict is an international speaker, facilitator and coach who has facilitated workshops in 12 countries and touched thousands of lives with her gentle, joyful and dynamic presentation of the life changing tools of Access Consciousness®. A singer, actress, and vocal coach, Blossom is a member of Actors Equity, holds a BA in Drama and has appeared in dozens of productions across the United States. She was the lead teacher of The Children’s Healing Project at the Stanford Children’s Hospital, was Director of TheatreWorks’ nationally acclaimed Playing with Poetry summer camp, and can be heard bi-weekly on her radio show "The Lightness of Change" on the One World Puja Network.

Practice

A New Way to Connect Communities

At the edge of his white Victorian porch a few blocks from the shore of Lake Champlain, Vermont engineer and social entrepreneur Michael Wood-Lewis leans back in his chair, crosses one ankle over a khaki-covered knee, and looks down the shady street lined with oaks and older, well-loved homes. “Hey—” He nods to a young neighbor walking down the sidewalk. “How’s it going?” The young man, a violin case strapped to his back, pauses, and the two chat for a few minutes about music, music teachers, performers and what’s going on in the neighborhood. Neighbors who know each other It’s a simple moment, an instant of connection, and the kind of conversation Michael loves and initiates a half-dozen times a day with neighbors, young and old. It’s also the kind of connection that characterized the Ohio community in which he grew up—the kind in which people dropped by the house with casseroles when Michael’s mom was ill with cancer and where he’d delivered newspapers on routes inherited from his older brothers. “That kind of contact has always been important to me,” Michael says. It creates an awareness of the people around you, their needs, their strengths, what they have to offer. It’s what builds a group of people who will support one another, work together for common cause, or who will reach out to one another when help is needed. “It’s what builds a community.” Unfortunately, when Michael and his wife, Valerie, moved to the Victorian 14 years ago, a sense of community is not what they found. People pretty much kept to themselves, Michael says. “You know the Robert Putnam book Bowling Alone? It was just like that.” Everyone was busy with their own lives, trying to make a living, keep their kids healthy, pay the mortgage and put one foot in front of the other. The digital front porch So forging connections among his neighbors became Michael’s single-minded purpose. And, after several traditional approaches, he began thinking like the engineer he is: He started to build. In this case, it was a front porch on which people could gather. A digital one. If people had no time to sit around on their own front porches and chat with neighbors, he reasoned, then maybe they would at least cruise by a digital one while they were checking their emails. The idea was that people from the five streets in his neighborhood and ZIP code would have access to the porch. They could post about anything—lost dogs, school candy sales, a visiting skunk, political candidates on the loose, new bus routes for kindergarteners, property tax hikes, whatever—connect, get to know each other and then take those relationships to the street. Then the next time they saw each other at the market, they’d stop and chat. Maybe introduce their spouses. Or kids. Or other neighbors. Civility and passionate discussion would be appreciated; bigotry and hate mail would not. The idea was stunningly simple, and nearly everyone in Michael’s community joined the Front Porch Forum, as Michael finally called it. Today, eight years after its launch, the community-building service has helped spawn a number of other community building services and is connecting 85,000 residents in Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. Making positive connections But, more important to Michael and the communities the website serves, anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of residents in each area where it’s available regularly hang out on their neighborhoods’ Front Porches. “It’s gratifying to do work that’s clearly helping so many people in my broader community,” Michael says. “Especially as a parent of school-aged kids—it gives them an example of the kind of meaningful life I hope each of them will have.”

Self-Care

12 Ways to Celebrate You

Life should be filled with joyful moments. On top of that, as living, breathing human beings we all deserve to be acknowledged, appreciated and celebrated. Life gets busy for most of us as we juggle responsibilities and spend much of our time nurturing others. It is important that we each find the time to celebrate who we are, to honor ourselves for our efforts and triumphs, and to praise our resilience even during the hardest of times.Here are 12 ways to celebrate you!1. Take a breakTake a stay-cation or a vacation that includes lots of the activities that you love to do. If you love reading in an Adirondack chair in a beautiful location, find a way to do it. If you love eating delicious foods, indulge in going out to dinner at one of your favorite restaurants. Take some time out to avoid feeling burned out.2. Write a gratitude letter—to yourselfMany of us have taken the time out to express our gratitude to others, but very few of us have really invested the energy in focusing on what we are grateful for in ourselves. Write a list or a letter highlighting all of the things about you that you’re grateful for. For example: the ability to juggle work and family, or that you have found a way to live within your means. Or maybe you are grateful that you’ve been eating and living in a healthier way since January.Whatever it is, write it down! Later, if you are having a day where you are feeling particularly down on yourself, refer to that list to put some positivity back into your mind and mood.3. Unleash your inner childReward yourself with a rare moment of instant gratification. Has there always been an activity you have been dying to try? Indoor skydiving? Paintball? A ballet class? Try it!4. Have a “celebrate us” gatheringGet a group of friends together to celebrate each other and your friendship. Bring your own favorite dish to share at a potluck or go to a restaurant that has meals you all love. Toast to the importance of close, wonderful relationships.5. Give yourself the gift of extra timeWake up a bit earlier or go to bed a bit later so you can have some extra time in the day just for you. Drink a cup of coffee by yourself, read a magazine or cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite TV show.6. Give yourself a social media shout outHop on Facebook or Twitter and write a post that simply says something like, "I'm feeling great today, I hope you are, too," or "I'm having a great day today, I hope you are, too!" Your social media circle will love that you are feeling happy, and they will appreciate that you're wishing good feelings on them as well.7. Start a joyful ritualOnce a week (or month), set aside time to take a hot bubble bath, read your favorite books, or end your day with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.8. Put some happy in your workspaceFind a gorgeous photo of a place you dream of going to and make it your wallpaper on your computer or smartphone. Start working on a plan to go there.9. Listen upMake yourself a "mixtape." Design a playlist for your iPod, phone or computer that is filled with songs that you love and that make you happy.Listen often.10. Buy something beautifulBuy yourself some flowers and put them in a prominent place in your home or office where you can enjoy them. Maybe this can even become a weekly or monthly ritual.11. Document yourselfGet a new picture of you taken by a friend with a great camera or even a professional photographer. It could be colorful, or arty and black and white. Smile—you’ll be glad later that you documented this moment in your life.12. Be kind to yourselfDo to yourself as you might do for others. Make a concerted effort to be as attentive and giving to yourself as you would be to a boss, a customer, a child, a friend or a mate. Make your wants and needs a priority and focus.Stacy Kaiser is a successful Southern California-based licensed psychotherapist and author of How to Be a Grown Up. A top relationship expert and media personality, Stacy contributes frequently to Live Happy.

Well-Being

Head-to-Toe Wellness

As a new year begins, it’s common for people to look at ways to change certain things in their lives—improving health and fitness habits or losing weight. I am a firm believer in the idea that good health is the hub of everything else in our life. If you want to sleep better, be happier, be more successful in your career and improve your relationships in the New Year, good health is key.So instead of making a resolution, I’m suggesting that this year you join me in a commitment to good health, making it as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth.Fitness for your body—and your mindAnd while we’re making changes, let’s start by looking at good health as more than eating right and exercising. When you’re creating a fitness program, let’s expand your view to include emotional wellness. Instead of focusing on changing your waistline, start with your head and work your way down.Committing to head-to-toe wellness is different from our conventional approach to wellbeing, but it also can change our lives in lasting and powerful ways.Make emotional wellness a habitOne of the biggest obstacles to practicing wellbeing is that most of us think of it as something that’s unpleasant. Many people don’t like to exercise, and while they might like the results it provides, until it becomes a habit or its physical and mental benefits are realized, it feels like a chore. That’s why I’m hoping that this year, you’ll remember to add emotional wellness as part of your new commitment to a healthier year. If your mind, spirit or emotional state is weak and vulnerable, it’s impossible to have a truly healthy body.Emotions in motionJoining an exercise class is a great starting point. While most people join an exercise class to lose weight, there’s a much stronger argument to be made for exercising, and that’s about what you’ll gain from it. It’s how it makes you feel, the way it lifts your mood, improves your level of happiness, fights depression and strengthens your relationships.You’ll find vital social connections by joining in an activity with others, and receive incredible emotional benefits from the physical activity. It’s something I’ve seen not only in my own life but also in the lives of my patients.Prescription for wellnessWhen a 54-year-old registered nurse I’ll call Kay came to see me, she had a laundry list of health complaints. Kay had been the primary caregiver for her mom, who had recently died, and she came to my office with several complaints, from weakness and nausea to neck and shoulder pain.I recognized her symptoms as reactive depression—certainly not unexpected, given what she had been through—and suggested that she take a SoulCycle spin class. When my nurse called to check up on her a few days later, Kay was a different woman.She had attended two classes in four days and felt better than she had in months. She was sleeping better and had more energy. There’s no pill I could have given her that would have been nearly as effective.Like sickness, wellness is contagiousOne of the great things about engaging your mind and spirit as well as your body—whether it’s through meditation, yoga, SoulCycle or something else—is that it dramatically improves your vitality, happiness and overall wellbeing. It can even inspire others in your circle, from co-workers to family members, to join you.You might be surprised at how romantic an evening run with your spouse can be, or how much more connected you feel as you explore a new activity together! And what better way to spend time with your children than by doing an activity that is improving their overall wellbeing? That’s a gift and a lesson that will last for the rest of their lives.Feeling fit inside and outPerhaps the most important thing to remember about pursuing fitness and wellbeing is to maintain realistic expectations. Exercise is about much more than what size you wear; every time you do something good for your body and for your mind, you’re improving your heart, your blood circulation and lowering your risk of disease. But you’re doing so much more because you’re also lifting your mood, empowering your spirit and boosting your mental clarity—and those are the things that can truly create lasting change in your life.Dr. Jennifer Ashton is a co-host on the Emmy Award-winning talk show The Doctors, a practicing board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and senior medical contributor for ABC News’ Good Morning America and World News Tonight with David Muir. She is a wife, mother of two and a committed ftness enthusiast/triathlete. Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferashtonmd.com.

Practice

Ultimate Happiness Hot List

According to Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, 50 percent of your happiness set point is genetically determined. The other half of your happiness is in your hands. Use your actions and behavior to make your life happier with this roundup of happiness tips, quotes, insights, resources and gifts. 1. Wake Up Happy. “The main key to being happy is self-acceptance. It puts a smile on your face.” – Stacy Kaiser 2. Scale down and simplify. Downsizing can be liberating. Go through your possessions and make sure everything you keep has purpose or gives you joy. 3. Let go of perfection. Do you beat yourself up? Practice self-kindness especially when things don’t go the way you hoped. 4. Let your emotions happen. Allow yourself to experience a full-range of emotions, and don’t label happiness as good and sadness as bad. In the long run, you will be happier. 4. Forgive for you. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation with the person who hurt you, or condoning of his or her action. What you’re looking for is a sense of peace and closure. 5. Invest in your health. Make vegetables the center of your meal. 6. “A key to happiness is strong, intimate bonds with other people.” – Gretchen Rubin 7. Take the couple’s quiz. Being happy in a relationship is crucial to your wellbeing. 8. Get adequate sleep. A lack of sleep can result in foggy thinking and can contribute to obesity, heart disease and a host of other health ailments. 9. Create Monday momentum. It’s the blank slate of your week. Set the tone right on Monday by accomplishing something big and enjoy a happier week. 10. Connect face-to-face. Research shows that positive social interaction makes a huge difference in our wellbeing. Swap out Facebook for a real conversation in person with someone you care about. 11. Get grit to succeed at work. Have a growth-mindset and believe that things can improve, failure is not permanent and there is reason to persist. 12. Hug and hold hands. The power of touch can lower stress-induced spikes in blood pressure and raise levels of oxytocin, the famous “love” hormone. 13. “When we broadcast a happier and positive mindset, it unlocks the brain’s higher potential.” – Michelle Gielan 14. Hone your skill. Take charge of your professional development at work and invest in yourself with a book, webinar or class. 15. Surround yourself with love. Who you are around impacts your mood and outlook. Choose people who give freely with their compliments. 16. Color yourself happy. Think about the hues that give you a good feeling and use them in your wardrobe, home and workspace. 17. Model positive education. Show your children how to master challenges and overcome frustrations with an optimistic and not a defeatist approach. 18. “An act of kindness is the fastest way out of a negative spiral.” – Dan Tomasulo 19. Take a walk outdoors. This simple activity can lift your mood and you can spread your positive mood with others. 20. Plan vacations carefully. Poorly planned vacations can result in stress and defeat the purpose of your getaway. 21. Make your life extraordinary. Movie director Ron Howard says, “Happiness is about love—loving what you do and loving who you do it with.” 22. “Journal about your intention for the day.” – Michelle McQuaid 23. Go for contentment. The good is better than the perfect. Strive for a state of inner calm. 24. Discover if your job is “the one.” If it doesn’t feel like work, you might be on to something. 25. Brighten your mood. Gratitude is fuel for the soul, and it’s the ultimate emotional tonic for sustained wellbeing. Make a list of your blessings. 26. Don’t take your sense of touch for granted. When we use our hands, we activate large parts of our brains. Cook or bake something and dive in fingertips first. 27. Share your goals to be accountable. Have a support system to cheer you on or lift you up as you work toward positive change. 28. “You ensure your happiness when you give to others.” – Bubba Paris 29. Let your child make mistakes. Learn to love the words “trial” and “error.” 30. Use money as a happiness tool. After a modest level of income is reached, more money doesn’t necessarily equate to more happiness. Use money to create a life you desire. 31. Find your purpose. Your purpose is the intersection between what you are good at and care about with value and need in the marketplace. 32. Spread your happiness. Get some Live Happy notes to leave around town. 33. Skip the brooding. Excessive thinking about what you should have done differently can negatively impact the present moment. Tell yourself: I did the best I could with what I knew at the time. 34. “Happiness is the belief that we can change.” – Shawn Achor 35. Fill your mind with happy. Follow Live Happy on Pinterest. 36. Replicate your success. Study the areas of your life that are going well, and see if you can recreate that success in other areas of your life. 37. Join a community group. Belonging to something bigger than yourself can boost your happiness. 38. Plan a friendship date. Have a Friends marathon, walk and talk, or have a game night. 39. “Let go of junk from your past. If you don’t forgive, it gets in the way of your happiness.” – Dr. Fred Luskin 40. Appreciate random acts of kindness. Share the love by creating a happy moment for someone else. 41. Reflect on happy memories. Any time we like, we can boost our mood by focusing on a happy memory. Make it better by engaging more of your senses. 42. Become a dynamic communicator. Care more about the long-term outcome than the immediate gratification of being heard, being louder, winning, getting that last word, or being right. 43. Be lighthearted. It could protect your health and prevent a heart attack. 44. Find your passion. Look at your actions. Where your flow goes, so goes your energy. If time flies by while you are doing it, you are in true flow and you will create magic. 45. Send an appreciative email. When you open your inbox each day, take two minutes to send an appreciative email to someone in your social support network (family member, friend, teacher, coach, or coworker) thanking that person. 46. “Get out of your head and into your life.” – Todd Kashdan 47. Get involved. People who join a spiritual or religious community and people who volunteer regularly are shown to live longer than those who don’t. 48. Try this To-Do List trick. Break overwhelming projects into smaller tasks until your list becomes a “gladly do” list. 49. Take your kids downtown. If you live in the suburbs, drive or take public transit downtown to the nearest big city to check out the amenities and culture. 50. Take a nap. A well-timed nap can boost productivity. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes max. 51. Live in the moment. And this is just one lesson your dog can teach you about joy. 52. Don’t surrender to adversity. Figure out what you have control over and what you don’t and come up with a plan. 53. Model optimism. Create a positive environment for your kids and shape their reality. 54. Give a happy gift. Find a great gift for a coworker, friend or love. Sandra Bienkowski worked as the national columns editor for SUCCESS magazine for three years, and is widely published in print and on the web. See more about Sandra at The Media Concierge.

Well-Being

Do You Have These Hidden Symptoms of Depression?

We talk a lot about happiness and how to achieve it on this website and in the pages of our magazine. We strongly believe that the research-driven tools and tips that we offer can help anyone, whether you struggle with negative emotions or are already pretty darn happy. But even Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, asserts that these tools are meant mostly for those already at a baseline of mental wellness. There are times when remedies such as keeping a gratitude journal or taking a walk in the sunshine just won’t cut it. Major depression is a serious disease, and one that should be addressed by medical and psychological professionals. It’s important to recognize the signs that differentiate between the walking well and those who might need professional treatment. Sneaky symptoms Depression can be sneaky. It doesn’t always look like a Lifetime TV movie depiction of a woman too despondent to get out of bed. “Intense sadness is certainly part of it,” says Carol Landau, Ph.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at Brown University, “but depression can also express itself in other feelings and behaviors.” This may help explain why only a third of people with severe depression seek treatment and only 20 percent of those with moderate depression get help, according to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. They may have symptoms that they do not recognize as depression. Beyond the blues Even the “official” symptoms of depression, below, cover a wide spectrum: Feeling sad or empty. Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Loss of appetite or overeating or weight loss or gain. Changes in sleep: trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Feeling agitated (pacing, nail-biting, cheek-chewing) or lethargic. Fatigue or loss of energy. Feeling worthless or excessively guilty. Trouble concentrating or making decisions. Suicidal thoughts or intentions. Here are four more important symptoms that you might miss: 1. Anger “It’s not so much anger as irritability,” says Landau. “You’re impatient or overly critical of yourself or others. The co-worker everyone secretly calls the “B” word may actually be suffering from depression.” A person with irritable depression may lash out at loved ones or break down in tears over seemingly nothing. Such emotional outbursts are so common among depressed people — in one study of nearly 1,500 depressed people, 40 percent reported feeling angry more than half the time—that some experts argue that irritable depression should be a subcategory of major depressive disorder. 2. Rumination Rumination is defined as thinking and worrying excessively about a problem without doing anything about it. “When rumination is an aspect of depression, you may not feel all that sad but you may find yourself fixated on something that didn’t go well at work or a problem with a friend,” says Landau. “You believe that if you think about it long enough it will get better.” This tactic may sound reasonable, but a depressed person will take it to an extreme, often losing sleep (which is a classic symptom of depression). “A person who’s functioning well would say, ‘It’s 3 a.m. I’ll deal with this tomorrow,’” explains Landau. When rumination is a symptom of depression, it also can interfere with decision-making and relationships. 3. Change in habits Turning to food is one way a depressed person might try to feel better. But while overeating is on the classic checklist, other methods of “self-medication” are not. One is amping up alcohol or prescription pill consumption. “Anecdotally this is especially common among young mothers who feel isolated or don’t get much help from their partner. By 4 a.m., they may be reaching for a glass of wine,” says Landau. 4. Body aches and pains The same biological pathways and neurotransmitters that are affected by depression are also involved in pain. By some estimates, depressed people have three times the average risk of developing chronic pain. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 75 percent of primary care patients with depression complained only about physical discomfort, often leading doctors to miss their depression. “Depression is often under-recognized and thus frequently undertreated,” the study authors wrote. “Providers frequently assess for physical causes of pain and treat medically instead of exploring the pain symptoms in a broader, biophysical context.” It’s controversial, but some experts believe that pain associated with depression may sometimes be a symptom of chronic inflammation—the same immune-response-gone-awry condition that’s been linked to heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. In fact, adding anti-inflammatory medications to anti-depressants has helped some people with depression. Better safe than sorry If you see unusual changes in your habits, behavior or pain levels, you may want to see your doctor. “General internists and gynecologists are better trained at spotting mental illness than they used to,” says Landau. “Depression is treatable, but if it’s not treated, it will get worse.”

Well-Being

24-Hour Happiness Live Stream – Extended Bios

Three years ago the United Nations established March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. In celebration of this auspicious day, Live Happy is hosting the world’s first24-Hour Happiness Live Stream. Join us as we present an extraordinary line up of best-selling authors and experts in the field of positive psychology. We will be delving into exciting new happiness research as well as insights from some of the world’s top business and thought leaders. Kym Yancey, CEO and Co-Founder of Live Happy LLC, is leading a global movement to make our planet a happier place. He oversees all aspects of the Live Happy platform & brand which includes the Live Happy clothing line, Live Happy magazine, Live Happy event experiences, Live Happy Week, Live Happy awards and campaigns such as Acts of Happiness and more. He is recognized as one of North America’s premier marketing and innovation thought leaders. With a legacy of successful ventures, he brings a wealth of passion, creativity, and business savvy to his many interests and ventures. Prior to Live Happy LLC, Kym was Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, and President of eWomenNetwork, one of the most successful membership business networking communities for women entrepreneurs in North America with over 500,000 women connected to 118 chapters spread across the U.S. and Canada. During his tenure with the company, CNN recognized the eWomenNetwork Foundation, which he founded with his wife, with an American Hero award as a result of the humanitarian outreach and support the foundation provided in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Kym is also a gold-record-winning composer and producer. In the ’70s and early ’80s, he was signed to Capitol Records as the drummer and a singer with the legendary funk band, SUN, which frequently appeared on Soul Train and in sold-out concerts throughout North and South America. He later parlayed his music skills into advertising, and launched one of the top multicultural advertising agencies in the United States. Along the way, Kym wrote award-winning commercial jingles, receiving more than 200 awards for creative excellence. Sandra Dee Robinson is a well-known daytime actress, TV and Radio Host, Product Spokesperson, wildlife advocate, CEO and Founder of Charisma on Camera Media Training Studio and Horse Powered Leadership Training. Sandra Dee is under great demand as a coach, consultant and speaker for companies, entrepreneurs, authors, celebrities and well-established experts to help them develop their most powerful personal presence and leadership communication skills. She has appeared in major roles on Another World, Sunset Beach, Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay and guest starred on many prime time shows and films, like CSI Miami, Criminal Minds and Two and a Half Men… among others. She attributes her consistent success in this challenging industry to the lessons she now has honed into effective workshops and seminars; She is driven to empower her clients with the knowledge of the incredible gifts God has given them so they may get their message out, and make the impact in the world they’re designed to create. For more information, please visit Sandra Dee Robinson’s website by clicking here. Shawn Achor is a New York Times bestselling author of Before Happiness and The Happiness Advantage. He is the winner of over a dozen distinguished teaching awards at Harvard University where he delivered lectures on positive psychology in the most popular class at Harvard. Shawn has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between happiness and success. His research on happiness made the cover ofHarvard Business Review, his TED talk is one of the most popular of all time with over 7 million views, and he has sat down with Oprah Winfrey not once, but twice to discuss his steps for achieving happiness on OWN’sSuper Soul Sunday. For more information, please visit Shawn Achor’s website by clicking here. Michelle Gielan, a regular contributor to Live Happy, is the Founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research. She is an expert on the science of positive communication and how to use it to fuel success. Michelle works with Fortune 500 companies and schools to raise employee engagement, productivity and happiness at work. Michelle is a Partner at GoodThink, a positive psychology consulting firm, and she holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Michelle is an Executive Producer of “The Happiness Advantage” Special on PBS, and formerly served as the anchor of two national newscasts at CBS News. Her research and advice have received attention from Forbes, USA Today, CNN, FOX and NPR. For more information, please visit Michelle Gielan’s website by clicking here. Jeff Olson, Founder and CEO of Neora™ is a dynamic leader and visionary in relationship marketing. Since he first joined the industry in 1988, he has earned a reputation as a top distributor, earner, CEO, founder and best-selling author. Often referred to as “The Millionaire Maker,” Jeff has helped thousands of people build successful relationship marketing businesses. He has spoken to more than a thousand audiences throughout the United States and around the world. Over the past twenty years, Jeff has helped grow companies into massive successes by creating proven recruiting and training systems that are designed to empower people to succeed, whether they are new to the industry or a twenty-year veteran. Jeff founded Neora along with his daughter, Amber Olson Rourke (Chief Marketing Officer), and her mother, Renee Olson (Chief Leadership Officer). Prior to founding Neora, Jeff was a top distributor for several companies, building multimillion-dollar sales teams. In the early ’90s, he put in place a national satellite-training program for an independent sales force by placing 30,000 individual satellite dishes in homes across the country. From that experience, Jeff went on to found The People’s Network (TPN), a company that became one of the largest personal-development training organizations in the nation. As the CEO of TPN, Jeff solidified his reputation as a thought-leader on the future of personal development, creating over 900 television programs on personal excellence in health, family, relationships, and finances. Jeff also authored the best-selling book The Slight Edge, which outlines his key principles that can transform simple daily choices into the massive success and happiness people desire. He also worked with the SUCCESSFOUNDATION to develop SUCCESS for Teens: Real Teens Talk about Using the Slight Edge, which is based on principles from The Slight Edge. The book has been distributed to almost two million teenagers. Margaret H. Greenberg is a consultant, executive coach, and coauthor of the business book Profit from the Positive. In 1997, she founded The Greenberg Group, a consulting firm dedicated to coaching business leaders and their teams to achieve more than they ever thought possible. A pioneer in the field of positive psychology, Greenberg also designs and leads workshops, webinars, and conferences for business audiences and is an expert on creating strengths-based organizations. Margaret is also the “Positive Business” columnist for Live Happy Magazine, and a regular business contributor for www.PositivePsychologyNews.com. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Hartford, a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, and is recognized by the International Coach Federation as a professional certified coach. For more information, please visit Margaret Greenberg’s website by clicking here. Senia Maymin, Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Stanford, is a consultant and executive coach whose clients include Google, Intel, and VMware. Maymin runs a coaching network that provides coaching for upwards of 30 managers at a time to large technology companies in the Bay area. When entrepreneurs and executives seek far-reaching productivity improvements, they call on Maymin as an executive coach and workshop leader. Maymin is the coauthor of the business bookProfit from the Positive, and the co-business columnist forLive Happy Magazine. Maymin has been featured in the media—includingPBS’s This Emotional Life, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch, andUSA Today—primarily for her work as a positive psychology executive coach. Maymin founded and is editor in chief of a research news website featuring more than 1,000 articles by over 100 authors. She has worked in finance on Wall Street and in technology as cofounder and president of two start-ups. Maymin holds a BA in Math and Economics from Harvard, a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA and PhD in Organizational Behavior from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She speaks Russian, French, and Japanese. She lives with her family in California. For more information, please visit Senia Maymin’s website by clicking here. As a renowned thought leader and public speaker, Dr. Jay Kumar expertly counsels organizations and businesses on harnessing the art and science of happiness for both short- and long-term success. Clients across the globe—from lean start-ups to large corporations—have benefited from his highly effective, easy-to-learn and scientifically proven insights and techniques. In addition to consulting businesses and individuals, Dr. Jay stays at the forefront of brain research as a respected university professor. He holds a Ph.D. in cognitive science and religious studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies and an M.A. in international political economy and a concentration in international business from Columbia University. He has also pursued advanced graduate studies at GeorgetownUniversity and UCLA. His e-book Five Secrets to Achieving Authentic Health & Happiness is available on Amazon. For more information, please visit Dr. Jay Kumar’s website by clicking here. Nicholas Kraft is a recent graduate of Emerson College and the subject of Adam’s film FINDING KRAFTLAND. While completing his Bachelor of Arts, Nicholas worked at WERS radio as an engineer, recording artists such as Andrew Bird, The Shins, and Blitzen Trapper. He also recorded and mixed audio for a number of award-winning student films (WARREN BUDD & HIS PROPELLER PLANE, AS THEY FADE, WHY OUR PARENTS FIGHT). After graduation, Nicholas spent three months traveling through Japan, attempting to communicate to locals that he did not eat seafood. He documented his travels and experiences at 89in89.blogspot.com. After the adventure, he returned to the states with a wealth of new insights, bags filled with Japanese Kit Kats, and a desire to start a new adventure. He returned to Adam’s production company, where he worked as an assistant editor for a multitude of clients, and began pre-production on this film. Adam Shell is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has completed two feature length documentaries (PUT THE CAMERA ON ME, and FINDING KRAFTLAND). Adam has operated a small production company in Los Angeles for the past 7 years, producing a variety of commercial and corporate content. Adam's talents run beyond the screen, as he is also a talented musician. He is a singer and a songwriter and plays a mean honky-tonk piano. He released his first album in 2007 entitled VACANT ROOM, which he recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is constantly writing and recording, so another album is due at some point in the near future - After Pursuing Happiness is complete, he says. He has been honored by the daytime Emmy awards as well as the Billboard world song contest. If you get the chance ask him to play for you. He is a graduate of UCLA where he performed the National Anthem at his graduation, don't ask him about it though - he screwed it up. Roko Belic's directorial debut, GENGHIS BLUES, won the Sundance Audience Award and was nominated for an Academy Award® for best documentary feature. Belic directed the documentary DREAMS: CINEMA OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS, which was released on the INCEPTION Blu-Ray. He associate produced BEYOND THE CALL, co-produced and shot INDESTRUCTIBLE, and directed THE BATMOBILE, which was released on THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Blu-ray. For his current project HAPPY, Belic teamed up with Tom Shadyac (BRUCE ALMIGHTY, LIAR LIAR, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR), who executive produced, to direct the award-winning feature documentary. HAPPY takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy. Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientists in happiness research, HAPPY explores the secrets behind our most valued emotion. The quest to find a solution to a common problem standing in the way of business success is how Sandra Yancey’s entrepreneurial path took root to grow. Networking for business was her nemesis. In 2000, from a room above the garage of her Dallas, Texas suburban home -- with limited entrepreneurial experience -- Sandra boot-strapped her way to create one of the largest and most decorated business networking organizations in North America. Today, eWomenNetwork is a multimillion dollar enterprise in six countries with 118 chapters that helps thousands of women grow their businesses. The organization produces over 1,000 women’s business events each year, including one of the largest 4-day International Women’s Business Conference in North America. Recognized by the International Alliance for Women as one of the world’s 100 Top Difference Makers and by CNN as an American Hero, the eWomenNetwork Foundation she created has awarded cash grants to 101 non-profit organizations and scholarships to 147 emerging female leaders of tomorrow. Sandra is a bestselling author of five books, including Succeeding Through Doubt, Fear & Crisis. This book rose to #1 status in five categories at Amazon.com upon its debut in July, 2014. She has also been featured in Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul, which features some of the top entrepreneurs in North America. In 2008, Sandra produced an inspiring movie about women overcoming great odds to achieve remarkable things called The Glow Project. The movie was named “One of the most inspiring movies ever created for women” by the Orlando Film Festival. Sandra is committed to helping women grow their businesses and just as important, help them to live an inspired, healthy life rich in abundance and complete fulfillment. To assure that women succeed, she created and developed her breakthrough coaching program, called G.L.O.W-- Generating Lasting Opportunities and Wealth, for women who are ready to re-imagine and take the intentional steps necessary to reach their optimum, in full GLOW, best! Sandra holds a Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Development from The American University, Washington D.C. and a two-year post-graduate certification in Organization and Systems Design from the prestigious Gestalt Institute. Sandra is married to her life and business partner, Kym, and together they are the proud parents of a daughter and son. Sandra is a mentor to thousands who have been shown by example that they have unlimited possibilities to make a difference and succeed in spite of everything. The key is finding winning ways to solve real problems, making the right connections, and having the resilience to hold fast and firm to their dreams. John Havens is the Founder of The H(app)athon Project, a non-profit Foundation, ‘Connecting Happiness to Action’ via the use of values-based, interactive technology. He is the author of Hacking H(app)iness - Why Your Personal Data Counts and How Tracking it Can Change the World , Principal of Transitional Media Consulting, and a global keynote speaker. John has been quoted about issues relating to technology and culture in USA Today, C-Span, NPR, US News & World Report, Forbes, Fast Company, The Guardian, Mashable, the BBC, The Huffington Post, and Advertising Age. He is a contributing writer for The Guardian, Mashable, and Slate, and his new book about Artificial Intelligence and wellbeing will be released in Fall of 2015. John was EVP of Social Media at a top ten global PR firm and has worked with clients including Gillette, P&G, HP, Merck, Wal-Mart, Gallo Wines, and Datacoup. 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 Technology Alliance and Compass Partners. Jenn is the CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Delivering Happiness, a company she and Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos.com) co-founded to inspire science-based happiness, passion and purpose at work, home and everyday life. In Jenn’s words: “A CHOis doing what any CEO does in an organization — putting the people/resources/financing in place to create a sustainable company. The difference between a CEO and a CHO is that a CHO is doing it through the lens of happiness as a business model.” Along with her “fearless leader” CHO responsibilities, Jenn manages a demanding speaking schedule that sends her around the world to deliver a message of passion, purpose, culture, and happiness. If you ask her, Jenn will tell you she never imagined the opportunities that she has today, but she often recalls a particular turning point in her life, which foreshadowed her path. While studying at UC Berkeley, shefound herself in a poetry class and where she was expected to read my poems aloud. Another student came up to her after class and said “I loved that line.” It was in that moment that Jenn realized that words have power, and became the reason that she focuses so much energy on her speaking engagements today. She says: “If I affect someone in some way it’s worth it… somehow I ended up in this place where I have a bigger platform to do it now but it comes back to the same thing — inspire and be inspired.” Starting long before Delivering Happiness was a gleam in anyone’s eye, Jenn was a consultant at Zappos. She created the Zappos Culture Book, a symbol of how companies can use happiness as a business model to increase productivity and profitability. She was a foundational part of the team at Zappos who proved thathappier employees = happier customers = profitable/sustainable business (and most importantly, meaningful lives). In 2010, Jenn led the launch and management of Tony’s book (Delivering Happiness) which has sold over 600,000 copies worldwide and hit #1 on bestsellers lists like the New York Times and USA Today. It was voted one of the best business books by NPR, Inc. Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, remained on the New York Times list for 27 weeks and has been translated into 20 languages. DH has evolved from a book to a company and global movement represented by over 110 countries. Today, she’s dedicated to growing DH to inspire happiness in people, communities and companies so that together, we can create a happier world. Dr. Michelle Robin is an international speaker, best-selling author, radio host, and practicing chiropractor. She is the founder of Your Wellness Connection, P.A., one of the nation’s most successful integrative healing centers. Dr. Robin also consults with businesses and non-profit organizations developing wellness programs. She has spoken on improving individual well-being as well as creating a culture of wellness to a wide variety of companies, organizations, and conferences across the US and Canada. Visit her website for more details. Dr. Fab Mancini is FOX News’s Healthy Living Expert, a world renowned Chiropractor, Hay House’s bestselling author of The Power of Self-Healing and host of his popular radio show, Self-Healing with Dr. Fab. He is also the bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Chiropractic Soul, an internationally acclaimed educator, business leader, speaker, and President Emeritus of Parker University. He has been featured on Dr. Phil, The Doctors, Fox News, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Univision, Telemundo and others. He has been interviewed in various documentaries and has received honors like Heroes for Humanity, Humanitarian of the Year, CEO of the Year, and induction into the Wellness Revolutionaries Hall of Fame. Most recently, the President of Mexico even named the library at UNEVE, Mexico's new leading university, after him. Dr. Mancini is also a graduate of the prestigious Institute for Educational Management in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. A graduate ofHarvard Business School,Ken Kragen's illustrious career far transcends the music and entertainment industries where he has spent many incredibly successful years. He has managed some of the world's most important entertainers, includingKenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Trisha Yearwood, Olivia Newton John, The Bee Gees, Burt Reynolds, The Smothers Brothersand many others. He was the creator and organizer of the historic humanitarian projects"We Are the World", "Hands Across America",and Cisco System's"NetAid".Amazingly over 95% of the acts he managed have become stars, and 90% of the projects he created and spearheaded have achieved success. During the past few years, Kragen has devoted an increasing amount of his time to teaching, speaking and writing as well as consulting work for leading corporations and many non-profit organizations. He has done work forCisco Systems, New York Life Insurance, Eastman Kodak, The Hollywood Reporter and the Country Radio Broadcasters Associationto name a few. Kragen is most proud of receiving theUnited Nations Peace Medalfor the creation of "Hands Across sherrAmerica", and "We Are the World", making him one of a mere handful of private citizens to receive this honor. Founder and Chief Bliss Officer of Fork That Foods Inc. (https://www.blissbites.co/), Author, Speaker, Host and expert on using “SASS” (Simple Action StepS) to increase health & happiness Facing chemotherapy and life in a wheelchair forced Sherry to get “SASSY.” Because of her personal battle with a debilitating autoimmune disease and clinical depression, she has spent years researching, applying, and teaching multidisciplinary “SASS.” These Simple Action StepS leverage science, psychology, and strategies to gain maximum benefit from small changes. As mother to six children and owner of two businesses, Sherry realizes we all need to make the most of our limited time and energy. Her passion for encouraging others through sharing research-based, scientifically proven, fun and easy tweaks to meals, mind, and movement led her to start Fork That Foods Inc. (https://www.blissbites.co/), and create Bliss Bites gourmet superfood desserts, which she calls a “gateway treat to healthy eats.” She is author of the upcoming book“Don’t Worry, Eat Happy – Facts and Foods to Improve Your Moods” and host of the companion video series “Eat Happy”, which is currently in production. Learn more about Sherry and her mission at https://www.sherryleewhite.com. Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, Ph.D., is the science director of the Greater Good Science Center, where she oversees the GGSC’s Expanding Gratitude project. She earned her doctorate in Cognition Brain and Behavior at UC Berkeley. Her dissertation used behavioral and neuroscience methods to examine how negative states like fear and aversion influence thinking and decision-making. During her postdoc, Emiliana transitioned to studying pro-social states like love of humanity, compassion, and awe. From there, she served as Associate Director/Senior Scientist at CCARE (the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University), focusing on how compassion benefits health, well-being, and psychosocial functioning. Today, Emiliana’s work spotlights the science that connects health and happiness to social affiliation, caregiving, and collaborative relationships, as she continues to examine the potential for – as well as the benefits of – living a more meaningful life. She’s not your typical motivational keynote speaker.Connie motivates audiencesDIFFERENTLYby fueling them with exciting new ideas, mindsets, attitudes and solutions that will empower them to tackle even the toughest challenges in today’s crazy 24/7 world! She’s honest-to-goodness funny!Connie started doing comedy when she was 14 and never looked back. Her humor allows her to tackle even the toughest issues organizations face with wit, substance and style. Connie’s contagious sense of humor enables your audience to dig deeper and learn so she can keep those “ah ha” moments coming fast and furious. Connie is all about RESULTS. Most keynote speakers simply teach audiencesWHATto do. A few speakers show audiencesHOWto do it. Connie does all that and MORE. She helps your team understandWHYit’s important to change behaviors, re-think attitudes, re-assess old ideas and get on board so they can make things happen! Connie gives the word CUSTOMIZATION a whole new meaning.She literally goes inside the minds of the people within your organization, your industry, and audience so they know that she knows exactly what they are going through. Her uncanny insight into human nature will have each person in your audience feeling like she is talking just tothem. It is rare for a speaker to have that ability to connect in such a meaningful way—and it’s that connection that keeps her message alive long after the event is over. Connie is down-to-earth and REAL!Audiences believe in her and trust that she has their success and welfare in mind at all times.Connie knows that people want, expect and deserve their speaker to be a REAL person sharing REAL solutions that can help them achieve REAL results. Bottom line?You definitely won’t find another keynote speaker like Connie! And your audience? They’ll thank you for that over and over again as they power up their business skills. Life skills. Leadership skills. Communication skills. Mindsets Shani Robins, Ph.D. pioneered the field of Wisdom Therapy in 1998. He is a licensed Psychologist (PSY18795) and the founder and director of the Wisdom Therapy Institute since 2000. He is an instructor at Stanford University Medical School’s Health Improvement Program, and an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (www.itp.edu). Dr. Robins received his B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from UCLA in 1989, his M.A. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Experimental Psychology from U.C. Santa Barbara in 1996, completed a 2-year National Institute of Mental Health Postdoc at U.C. Irvine in 1999 and a Ph.D. re-specialization in Clinical Psychology in 2002. He has published and has given numerous clinical workshops, invited talks, scientific conference presentations, and corporate consultations nationally and internationally on Wisdom Therapy and its relationships to cognitions, emotions, stress reduction, relationships, work place effectiveness, coping, emotional intelligence, performance, and organizational consulting. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, and has won many honors including inclusion in Strathmore’s Who’s Who. In his spare time Shani plays racquetball, chess, and GO, rollerblades, salsa dances, runs marathons, andwatches sun rises. Mike Duffy is an evangelist for happiness. Mike has written 4 books on happiness including, The Happiness Book For Men. He has been researching happiness for 30 years. He loves to speak about how you can gain greater happiness and joy in your precious life. Mike started The Happiness Hall Of Fame to recognize, encourage and celebrate people that make other people happy through their hard work, talent and sacrifice. The website is: www.happinesshalloffame.com. Mike is the CEO of Happiness Publishing.  Mike Duffy has been speaking professionally since he was a standup comedian at the age of 19. He was an MC at Woodstock '94. He has performed at Caroline's On Broadway, The Comic Strip and many other comedy clubs. He uses humor to deliver the life-changing message that sustainable happiness is possible in everyone’s life. He has spoken at universities, corporations, churches and civic associations about happiness. His purpose in life is to help others get happier. Louisa is the Founder and President of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association, a speaker and author who spreads the word about the science of happiness through her workshops, talks and webinars with audiences around the world. Louisa is an instructor of positive psychology at the University of Toronto and has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail, Psychology Today, Chatelaine, European Handbook of Positive Psychology, Positive Psychology at Work (Wiley, March 2011), and more. Through her Positive Psychology Think Tank, Louisa works with practitioners to expand their knowledge on how to leverage positive psychology in the work they do with clients. Louisa is a graduate of the ground-breaking Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania led by renowned psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman. Louisa loves to help people overcome their self-doubt and build the confidence they need to go out and truly flourish. Dr. Luskin holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Health Psychology from Stanford University. His work combines lecture with a hands-on approach to the ancient tradition of forgiveness. His presentations explore the HEAL process of forgiveness that, when learned, can lead to enhanced well-being through self-care. Dr. Luskin continues to serve as Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Health Promotion at Stanford University and is a Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He presents lectures, workshops, seminars and trainings on the importance, health benefits and training of forgiveness, stress management and emotional competence throughout the United States. Kristin studied communications as an undergraduate at the University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1988). She did her graduate work at University of California at Berkeley (Ph.D., 1997), studying moral development with Dr. Elliot Turiel. Her dissertation research was conducted in Mysore, India, where she examined children’s moral reasoning. She then spent two years of post-doctoral study with Dr. Susan Harter at Denver University, studying issues of authenticity and self- concept development. Her current position at the University of Texas at Austin started in 1999, and she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2006. During Kristin’s last year of graduate school in 1997 she became interested in Buddhism, and has been practicing meditation in the Insight Meditation tradition ever since. While doing her post-doctoral work she decided to conduct research on self-compassion – a central construct in Buddhist psychology and one that had not yet been examined empirically. In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program, co-created with her colleague Chris Germer at Harvard University, is called Mindful Self-Compassion. Her book titled "Self-Compassion" was published by William Morrow in April, 2011. Kristin was recently featured in the best-selling book and award-winning documentary called The Horse Boy – www.horseboymovie.com - which chronicles her family’s adventure with autism. Michelle McQuaid is a best-selling author, workplace wellbeing teacher and playful change activator. She fuses the latest science from positive psychology and neurobiology with over a decade of business leadership experience to bring you simple, tested actions to reduce stress and anxiety, cultivate a lasting sense of wellbeing and happiness, and become an exceptional leader. An honorary fellow at Melbourne University’s Graduate School of Education, her work has been featured in Forbes, the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Boss Magazine, The Age, Women’s Agenda, Wellbeing Magazine and more. She holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied alongside the field's founder Professor Martin Seligman, and is currently completing her PhD in Appreciative Inquiry under the supervision of Professor David Cooperrider. Michelle lives to help people discover their strengths, move beyond their fears, and finally discover what it truly takes to flourish with confidence. Stacy Kaiser is a successful Southern California based licensed psychotherapist, author, relationship expert and media personality. With over 100 television appearances in the last year on major networks including CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC, Stacy has built a reputation for bringing a unique mix of thoughtful and provocative insight to a wide range of topics. She is a much sought after public speaker on a wide variety of topics, ranging from office and personal relationship issues to anger management and family politics. In addition to her numerous television appearances, her expertise and unique perspective have been solicited by a diverse group of clients including major corporations, public institutions, government agencies and philanthropic organizations. She has also been engaged by organizations including the FBI, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Unified School District, Kaiser Permanente and Hughes Aircraft to implement workshops and handle third party mediations. Stacy Kaiser received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has received advanced training in the areas of human and child development, as well as eating disorders and anger management. Mezzapelle is the founder of the Contagious Optimism movement and the author ofContagious Optimism, a bestselling book series that contains real stories from real people around the globe which demonstrates that every cloud has a silver lining. After a long career in technology, Mezzapelle launched several companies and philanthropic initiatives, and he has served on various boards. Throughout his life, Mezzapelle encountered great peaks and valleys, for which he is grateful. He has always kept his glass "completely full." Mezzapelle has been a guest on various radio and television programs along with being a contributorto numerous publications around the globe. He is also aTEDandContagious Optimism LIVEspeaker. Learn more about David at www.contagiousoptimism.com. Darrin M. McMahon is a professor of history at Dartmouth College. He is the author of Enemies of the Enlightenment: The French Counter-Enlightenment and the Making of Modernity (Oxford University Press, 2001) and Happiness: A History (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006), which has been translated into twelve languages, and was awarded Best Books of the Year honors for 2006 by the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Library Journal, and Slate Magazine. McMahon has just completed a history of the idea of genius and the genius figure, Divine Fury: A History of Genius, published in late 2013 with Basic Books, and his writings have appeared in such publications as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the New York Times Book Review, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. Shannon M. Pollyis one of the first 150 people in the world who have received their Master in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Martin Seligman. She is a leadership development facilitator, coach, speaker and founder of Shannon Polly and Associates, a leadership development company in downtown D.C. Shannon works with Fortune 500 companies in two domain areas: executive presence/presentation skills (based on over a decade of experience as a professional actor/assoc. Broadway producer in New York) and positive psychology. Shannon uses the empirical research from positive psychology with her organizational clients to foster positive and flourishing workplaces. She is passionate about giving people the confidence to present themselves powerfully in front of a room and overcome the anxiety that often besieges public speakers. She is equally as passionate about sharing the science of well-being and increasing the ‘tonnage of happiness’ in the world. She has been an assistant instructor in the MAPP program at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a contributor to the book,Positive Psychology at Work, has developed curriculum for the higher education version of the movie, Happy, and has been a facilitator for the Master Resiliency Training (MRT) program for the U.S. Army. The Army is the largest consumer of positive psychology in the world today and has plans to train all 1.1 million soldiers in resilience. She holds a graduate degree from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in classical acting and a B.A. with honors from Yale College. She is also a graduate of the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program. She is a contributing author to Positive Psychology News Daily and is a contributor to the bookPositive Psychology at Work(Wiley, March 2011) and a contributing author (along with Dr. Martin Seligman) toEuropean Handbook of Positive Psychology(2013). She is a co-founder ofPositive Business DC.She lives in downtown D.C. Her strengths are: Social intelligence, honesty, kindness, humor and perseverance. Barbara Fredrickson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and principal investigator of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory (a.k.a. PEP Lab) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research reveals how positive emotions, fleeting as they are, can tip the scales toward a life of flourishing. Winner of several awards for her research and teaching – including the American Psychological Association’s inaugural Templeton Prize in Positive Psychology and the Society of Experimental Social Psychology’s Career Trajectory Award – Barb created her broaden-and-build theory to describe how positive emotions evolved for our human ancestors and how, today, they vitally shape people’s health and well-being. Barb’s scientific contributions have influenced scholars and practitioners worldwide, in disciplines ranging from education to business and beyond. Her research has been featured in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, CNN, PBS, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Oprah Magazine, and elsewhere. In May 2010, she was invited to brief His Holiness the Dalai Lama on her research. Ricky Powell is a veteran of the Entertainment Industry. He realized his first dream of being an actor when he was just seven years old. After a successful career in front of the camera, Ricky began his next journey at the NBC Television Network in Burbank, California where he continues to work today. Working through some difficult situations at work and at home in his twenties and thirties, Ricky became fascinated with the subject of happiness, and how you can choose to be happy regardless of your outer circumstances. He began writing and lecturing on the subject and now teaches the principles that go into creating lifelong happiness so you can make more money, have deeper, stronger relationships, and live longer. On a personal note… Ricky had the vision of creating a community of like minded, positive individuals supporting one another many years ago. With so many negative messages bombarding us each day, he felt it was his calling to counter the darkness with a burst of light and spiritual energy. Finally, Masterminds of Lifelong Happiness is a reality and can help people all over the world create lives filled with joy, love and prosperity in abundance. Sandy Pedeflous , Founder of Smile TV, is a visionary and 30 year veteran of the entertainment industry working behind the scenes in all aspects of production including producing, production coordinating and post-production supervising. Sandy graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television and Film, from California State University Northridge and used her creative expertise to build her own editing business developing industrial video productions. Sandy is also the co-owner of two well-established and successful companies, Omegasonics, a manufacturing company and UltraCare, a service business. At a young age Sandy had a dream to create a positive news show. She made this dream a reality with Smile TV, an all-positive media network producing video for the soul purpose of smiling. Put a smile on your face and check outsmiletvgroup.com

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