Greetings!
By now we've learned, probably a thousand times over, that
happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. But, can it
be won through passionate, enduring intimacy with that special significant
other? George Sand's indelible pronouncement that "there is only one happiness
in life, to love and be loved" makes
love sound like the singular route to happiness. The esteemed Victor Hugo
seemed to agree when he added his insight to the paradigm: "The greatest happiness of life is
the conviction that we are loved--loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in
spite of ourselves." Is this
true around the world?
Or, is it love of self by honoring who we are...our
hopes, dreams and fears? Can we call intimacy
with ourselves a stepping stone on the pathway to happiness?
In the spirit of Valentine's day and
love...in general, we pose the following questions from our new blog:
Do you live a sumptuous life? Are your days filled with
people and activities you love? Living a passionate life is something
most people only dream about and often equate with being rich and
famous. Ordinary people, of course, are not barred from living
passionately. Passion is an attribute that can originate from the
simplest of circumstances, from the ink in a pen to a sketch from a
pencil. Passion originates from the same place in everyone and the
only skill we need to live passionately is a trust and a bit of
courage. How often do we listen to the fleeting notions that pull at our
heartstrings? If we are to live joyfully, we have but one choice; we must
get out of our heads and into our hearts. This is a powerful choice that
holds the promise of some of the greatest creative solutions the world has seen
in decades.
Until recently, passion has been underrated and overlooked, or
considered the domain of artists. Yet, passion and creativity are an
integral part of our DNA. Every area of human activity is a playground for
profound creativity. Following your passion, regardless of
how your intellect might define or limit it, is equivalent to heeding
the voice of your soul. Denying your passion is denying yourself. So
what will you choose?
Lisa
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We're proud and happy to have Emmy-award winning
Producer Kaluska (Kali) Poventud on board! Kali will wear many hats including
supervising the editing, writing and narration of our upcoming full-length
H-Factor feature. She joins H-Factor with a wealth of knowledge and abundant
optimism as we continue our mission to create the best darn heartfelt
documentary about happiness out there. Interestingly, Kali just completed
work on an amazing documentary entitled "The Big Question: A Film About
Forgiveness." It is ironic and so fitting that our talented new
Supervising Producer/Editor has the perfect opportunity to move from one end of
the emotional spectrum (sadness, anger, fear and darkness) to the opposite
(happiness, joy, bliss and light).
Here's a little background on our
talented new Supervising Producer and Editor:
Kaluska Poventud won two Emmys and
was twice-nominated for her work in television news during her tenure at Fox
Television and WNBC in New York. She served as senior producer at WBIS/Dow
Jones Television and accrued numerous credits on the east and west coasts,
including production supervisor on Macbeth in Manhattan, (winner,
Audience Choice Award, 1999 Long Island Film Festival). Kali produced
the vibrant telefilm Kenny The Shark for Discovery Kids (daytime Emmy
nominee, Outstanding Children's Writing) which later became a popular animated
series. She went on to line produce Lions Gate's The Opponent
and co-produce The
Tollbooth, which enjoyed a smash film festival run and numerous wins (Best
Feature, First Glance Film Festival, Best Narrative Film nomination at Hamptons
International Film Festival). In 2003, Kaluska line produced Oxygen
Network's Life on the Line and two
one-hour profiles for the Biography Channel and Atlas Media exploring the life
and works of Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Most
recently, Kali produced the feature length documentary The Big
Question: A Film About Forgiveness, directed
by three-time Academy Award nominee Vince DiPersio, featuring Deepak Chopra,
Desmond TuTu, Sr. Helen Prejean and Thich Nhat Hanh (www.bigquestionthemovie.com). The
film premiered at the 2008 Sedona International Film Festival as a kick
off to its 19-festival tour across the US and the UK. It was nominated for Best
Documentary at Swansea International Film Festival and won Best Film
Documentary at Breckenridge Film Festival and The Santa Fe Film
Festival. Official Selections include the Maui Film Festival, Atlanta
International, and the International Film Festival England, with a scheduled
2009 release. Kaluska is a graduate of Cornell University and is fluent in
Spanish.
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We're always looking to profile people who are able to tap into
their happiness, find their bliss and savor the joys of daily life. We hope you enjoy this tiny peek into
the colorful world of San
Francisco artist and watercolor
teacher Jana Bouc. She has a beautiful, tactile handle on the small, everyday things that
bring her happiness.
What Makes Me Happy: (in
the order it occurred to me this morning):
"A nice walk, fun in the studio, a good meal, a beautiful rainy day being
cozy indoors, an enjoyable movie, a snugly cat or dog, comfortable
clothes, good art supplies, loving friends and family, a good book, a day to
myself, learning something new, a new art magazine in the mail, days off work,
a hot bath or shower, unscheduled time, bursts of creativity, being pain free,
comfortable shoes. A warm beach, windows into other peoples' lives, my guardian
angel (don't ask), great art, beautiful art books, libraries, book stores, art
supply stores, wearing colorful bandanas, finding the right shade of lipstick,
feeling cute, tall men with strong arms, drawing people, drawing anything, the
flow of watercolor on paper, a successful painting.
A clean house, a toasty warm bed on a cold night, doing dishes, scooping the
litter box (I know, I'm nuts), a speedy computer, learning to see colors
accurately, my framed art hanging on the wall, a good workout, a small garden,
smooth stones, shells from the ocean, the scent of the sea, eating fresh
oysters. Remembering my Grandma, seeing my sons happy and healthy, a hug from
my sister, a good laugh, a hike and catch-up chat with a friend, organizing
things, an air conditioner on a hot night, a refreshing drink when I'm thirsty,
a latte made with love (and Peets coffee), a smooth road without potholes,
competence, a good teacher.
Good news for a change, financial security (someday), walking instead of
driving, people who work for common good, generosity, kindness, puppies,
kittens, rain, having someone say "God bless you." My GPS (not getting lost
anymore), my spunky little Toyota RAV4, my Soltek easel, fuzzy
slippers and ratty sweatshirt. My closet for storing canvas, my washer and
dryer, owning my own little house. My neighbors, the internet, my iPhone, good
healthcare, a nice cup of tea, writing and/or sketching daily in my journal, a
fridge full of fresh healthy food, a massage and sauna, my special
black-handled cereal spoon (was my mothers from her 1950s kitchen)."
Please visit Ms. Bouc website (link: http://janabouc.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/lake-little-girl-what-makes-you-happy/)
for more of her delightful musings.
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Hardship, heartache. In these bleak
economic times, with the Dow falling, foreclosures mounting, and unemployment
lines blooming is it even possible to be happy or maintain your happy
disposition? With gloom and doom the only things in abundance, is it even wise,
or right, to seek personal happiness? Sonja Lyubomirsky, a social psychologist
at the University of California Riverside and author of The How of Happiness: A
Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want, responds with a
resounding YES! In her recently published Op-Ed piece in the Riverside
Press-Enterprise, Dr. Lyubomirsky
gathers evidence that "the experience
of pain, loss and trauma can make us stronger, or at least, lead us to believe
that we are stronger and more resourceful than we had thought." She explores
the transformative experience of trauma survivors to derive take-away lessons
for all of us struggling to see the bright side of our current ordeal. There's
nothing shameful about feeling happy in hard times, in fact, you could even
consider spreading that feeling as a kind of community service. For a
much deserved pick-me-up, read Happy, Despite It All. How a New Outlook Can
Help Us Cope, Even Thrive, in Adversity. (Link: http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/localviews/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_S_op_lyubomirsky_28_loc.2fe542f.html
For a regular dose of Dr.
Lyubomirsky's good medicine on the How of Happiness, check out her monthly blog
at the Psychology Today website: (Link: http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-happiness
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While these links may not always be directly about
happiness, they relate to people we know and love who are making a difference
in the world by assisting others in identifying and actualizing their dreams
and desires. Their work serves others to care, keep and harvest their own joy.
We are always happy to share a good thing!
  · Lynda Resnick (link:
www.Lyndaresnick.com) POM Wonderful. FIJI Water. Teleflora. The Franklin Mint.
Lynda Resnick's marketing triumphs read like an encyclopedia of branding. She
is the smartest and hardest-working marketing brain in the business, the kind
of marketer who can sell "ice sculptures to Eskimos." But her
brilliant ideas aren't simply the result of random inspiration; they're the
products of a systematic approach to marketing that any company, large or
small,can adapt to achieve success. In her latest book, Rubies in the Orchard, Resnick divulges
the secrets of the bull's-eye strategies she created to promote some of
the world's most memorable and iconic brands. For more info, please visit
www.rubiesintheorchard.com
· Motherhoodincorporated.com
Motherhood Incorporated was formed shortly after
owner/operator Sandra Beck left her 13-year stint in Corporate America.
Her decision to stay at home with her children was not an easy one, given
her successful business career and achieving (and paying for) both her
undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern University. Being
able to see her kids anytime was priceless, but not having the money, financial
freedom and stimulation of other working people was frustrating.
Sandra Beck started freelancing in the industry in which she had contacts
shortly after resigning and before long she had a steady stream of clients.
When her small operation got too big for her to handle, she put an ad out for
help and received 81 email replies from mothers the first day! They
had law degrees, management experience, medical billing experience,
professional licenses. It was a gold mine! Beck saw that there were thousands
of mothers out there looking for ways to supplement their family income. They
all wanted to earn money, stay active, and keep their skills
sharp. Motherhood Incorporated is dedicated to bringing these skilled
women back into the workforce in a manner that suits not only the needs of the
client, but the needs of the working mother. Everybody wins! Sandra
Beck is also owner and operator of Power Agent Builder (www.poweragentbuilder.com), Real
Estate Web Library (www.realestateweblibrary.com)
and Blog Pod Drip (www.blogpoddrip.com).
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· NEW H-FACTOR BLOG Where do we find
happiness? How do we find happiness? Why are happy people
happy? And why are unhappy people unhappy? These are legitimate
questions with some surprising answers. Find out at: http://lisakamen.wordpress.com/
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· Global Happiness http://www.globalhappiness.net
The goal of this organization is to "spread this
most contagious bug to everyone everywhere so that they feel empowered to live
the best lives and feel they can make a difference to our planet, our people
and our earth."
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· Happiness.org http://www.happiness.org
The Happiness Foundation
provides strategic consulting services to non-profits that want to
optimize operations, grow stronger, and have an even bigger impact by supplying
intellectual capital. "The world is filled with bright, motivated individuals
who use their skills and talents every day for economic gain. It is our belief
that most of these same individuals - given the chance - would gladly
contribute a share of their time to the non-profit sector if asked." In this
alternative to traditional philanthropy, business leaders and experts donate
their time, knowledge, and contacts to help non-profits increase
their impact. Acting as a matchmaker and project coordinator, the Happiness
Foundation supports a wide range of non-profits doing work on poverty
alleviation
education, human rights, and health.
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· Visit the H-Factor website to leave your heartprint!
www.whatisyourhappiness.com
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We recently received this letter and with the sender's permission,
we wanted to share it with you: "Having been through many relationships in my
life, some better and some worse than others, I have yet to find a person with
whom I have had true and lasting love. I have read countless books and articles
about love and relationships and made great progress with various counselors
and therapies in understanding my relationships. All the things I needed to
know about loving myself first, being the person I want to attract, and
mastering my life condition and my thoughts is now becoming perfectly clear to
me. I am truly feeling happier than I have ever felt in my life, knowing I will
be ready to join my life partner when the timing is right for both of us."
Where are we headed in terms of global happiness
now that such profound and welcome change has come about with the historic
election of President Obama? These are the questions I'm pondering right now,
but of one thing I'm sure: happiness comes in part from three
essentials: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. I'm
certainly feeling blessed with all three as we roll into 2009 and hope you are,
too.
I want to leave you with a small suggestion that
I have implemented in my new Harvesting Happiness workshop...Vision
Boards. They are a great tool for setting intentions and bringing them to life
through images and words. We literally plant the seeds for growth by positively
reinforcing what brings us joy, bliss, fulfillment and contentment in a
visual context. We then have a tangible reference point to guide us
to make our dreams a reality. It's not hocus-pocus. It's literally and
consciously mapping our desires to harvest them into fruition This is
creative visualization at it's finest. We learn how powerful we can be in
the art of manifestation and positively limitless we are even in challenging
times.
So, the lessons seems to be...become the person
you want to love, become the change you want to see and be your own
Valentine! That pretty much sums it up for us right now.
Wishing you and yours all good things in 2009!
Lisa, Kayla, Aryel and the H-Factor staff
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In 6th grade @ my
school, we have a program called DBL. DBL, Designed Based Learning, is all
connected. Our focus for the year is, "What is the catalyst that propels
civilization?". We are grouped into biomes (desert, taiga, tundra,
tropical rain forest and grassland). My biome is the desert. My
group includes me, my friends Roy, Andrew and Brittney. We would be HAPPY
if we could catch a large animal to eat in order to stay alive. First we hunt
for marbles then we catch food by throwing darts at a dartboard to simulate the
hunt. Roy is not as good at darts as he thinks he is. At this point, just
being able to eat and be alive would make me and my biome happy!
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Father Robert Spitzer,
SJ President of Gonzaga
University
for a sneak peek!
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· H-Factor was screened at a recent Positive Psychology conference
at Bar-Ilan University outside Tel-Aviv, Israel. According to the conference
organizers, Liora and Orit, the event was a "big success," with
more than 350 attendees. In a brief email to Lisa after the conference, they
commented that "The short clips from your movie were, indeed, one of the
highlights and we still receive compliments about them and their impact."
Although Lisa could not attend the screening, they pointed out that "you
were with us in spirit and we expressed on stage our appreciation for your
generosity and told the audience about your unique project." One more
great connection: The keynote speaker at the conference, Dr. Tal Ben
Shahar who teaches Happiness 101 at Harvard, "expressed high
interest" in H-Factor and was given a copy of the film. So, my happy
travelers, word is spreading!
· Once again, Lisa will be a guest lecturer in
the department of psychology at the University of Southern California (USC) on
the Science of Happiness in April. If you are a USC student, you can contact us
for date, time, and class location.
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New! Harvesting Happiness Workshops
facilitated by Lisa Kamen Now Available!
According to Lisa, her inspiration for Harvesting
Happiness came a few weeks ago while standing in the shower. "It just
dawned on me that I could be doing something to help people navigate what many
refer to as the Global Economic Crisis. My take on what is happening is that it
is a unique opportunity to shift our focus to what really matters most. Yes,
the financial impact is hitting home hard in different ways for each of us.
Yet, at the end of the day it is how we relate to these challenges that is key.
After years of study on the important topic of happiness, I realized that
beyond H-Factor, I have other gifts of
value I can share. In a very real sense, I harvest happiness, I harvest
the joy in myself and help others do so within themselves, and that is how the
workshop and the name came to be. Soon after I conceptualized the idea, a dear
friend organized my first "test-drive" workshop with super happy results
(contented attendees). It is a simple, four-hour format. I screen the 30-minute
version of H-Factor followed by a Q& A, a light meal, and a brief
meditation to assist participants in focusing on and accessing their happiness.
Then we close with a Vision Boarding session on what else....happiness! Talk
about setting intentions and watching them come to life! We have planned
two more Harvesting Happiness workshops in the upcoming months, so if
you'd like to plant the seeds of happiness and reap bountiful benefits of this
healthy harvest, please contact us at heartprint@whatisyourhappiness.com. And, if you or someone you
know would be interested in hosting a Harvesting Happiness workshop,
we'd love to hear from you. Happiness is truly an inside job!"
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The Pursuit of
Happiness
Sponsored
by Bard College and Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY April 24-26, 2009
Following on the 2008 INCS theme, The Emergence
of Human Rights, this conference will focus on the pursuit of happiness, that
elusive corollary to life and liberty.
What form did happiness and the comprehension of
happiness take in the nineteenth century?
http://cms.skidmore.edu/incs/
Happiness & Its Causes
14-15 May 2009
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Now in its 4th year, this conference brings together more
than 50 speakers and an audience of over 2,000 for an exploration of the
science, psychology and philosophy of human happiness.
http://www.happinessanditscauses.com.au/
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Written and edited by
Rachel Ross
H-Factor's Content Development Specialist
& Resident Skeptic
Designed by
Dustin Zahn
Dzahn Design
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