Come on Get Happy

Any blog post that starts with the Partridge Family theme song can't be all bad.

As you've probably guessed, today's topic is happiness.

Today's post is going to be divided into two parts, the first part is from an article on a Yale course on happiness and the second part is about an event coming up in Modesto on Wednesday.

First, an article from Business Insider called "I'm taking Yale's class on happiness — and halfway through, these 4 tricks are already working" that talks about a class being offered by Yale University:

Happiness can be learned. 

That's the central idea behind Yale's most popular class ever. Professor Laurie Santos has collected all the psychological science out there and come up with a step-by-step process for boosting your own happiness. 

I took the 10-week course online through Coursera free. It's officially called The Science of Well-Being, and it has already been taken by more than 225,000 students online. One in four students at Yale has taken it since it was first offered. 

Santos told me she designed the course for three reasons: to synthesize what psychologists have learned about making our lives better, to help undergrads overcome stress and unhappiness on campus, and "to live a better life myself." 

Five weeks in, I'm a convert.

Be sure to click on the Coursera link above so you can also take the course for free.

Here are the four tricks that the author discusses in his article:

• Focus on your strengths
• Invest in experiences
• Learn to savor more
• Express gratitude and spread kindness

This last one fits right in with what we do at SendOutCards...check it out and see how easy it is to express gratitude and spread kindness,

Also, be sure to check out the article for more information and sign up for the free, 10 week course!

Now for part two:

A Leg Up - Small Business Networking is hosting a lunch and learn event, this Wednesday at Fuddrucker's in Modesto, called "3 Simple Steps to a Happier, more Successful Life" hosted by my friend, Barbara Zavela.

Here's the description for this event:

This month’s guest speaker is Barbara Zavela, a Happiness Evangelist. She is working on a Happiness Movement to make the world a better place to live. 

In today’s session we will explore Happiness and it's importance in your life.  

Here are some of the things that we will talk about:
• Why your Happiness matters
• Identifying Happiness stumbling blocks
• Discuss strategies to avoid Happiness stumbling blocks 

We invite you to increase your Happiness Quotient (HQ) by joining us for this very special presentation aimed at making your life better all around. 

Please be sure to bring plenty of business cards to share with the other members in the room. 

This event is free! We do ask that you support the restaurant by purchasing lunch.

You don't have to be in business to attend this event.

So, come on get happy by either taking the course or attending the event. I'm doing both!

Interesting days

Today - Carrot Cake Day and Golden Retriever Day

Tomorrow - Homemade Soup Day, Thank A Letter Carrier Day, Stuffed Mushroom Day, World Cancer Day and Sweater Day

Next Monday - Clean Out Your Computer Day, Umbrella Day, Plimsoll Day and Cream Cheese Brownie Day

Week long celebrations:

February 9 - 15: Kraut and Frankfurter Week

March 3 - World Wildlife Day, What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day, National Anthem Day, Canadian Bacon Day, International Irish Whiskey Day, Cold Cuts Day, Mulled Wine Day and Unique Names Day