Today instead of writing up some recipe that will give short-term happiness, I’m writing about a recipe for the long-term happy stuff. You see, Dave’s brother and his wife are pretty remarkable people. They think things through better and deeper than anyone I know. And they recently wrote a book. A book about the science of happiness. And it is GOOD. (You can always tell how much I like a book by the amount of pages turned over…and this one has a whole slew of them).
I love it because it delves into all kinds of studies and hypotheses to shift our way of thinking and it does that exceptionally well.
The cool thing about the book is that it isn’t just a book. It’s a discussion guide. The theory is that you can read a book and even if it is intriguing to you, it’s wisdom may not stick with you over time if you don’t do something to cement that in and change your way of thinking. So, Bob and Virginia have come up with the idea to incorporate classes to aid in digesting all this information. I love this video clip because it explains it much better than I can: http://www.hapacus.com/hapacus-videos/ (there are a ton of other clips there as well). This one tells how this whole idea kind of emerged: http://www.hapacus.com/videos-meet-hapacus/ My mother-in-law headed up a class for us family members who live here in the desert.
(That pic. even has Julie in is who wasn’t here in person for the actual classes, but was with us each time we gathered through face time. Gotta love technology for that.) It kind of felt like I was taking a college course in happiness. With a bunch of my best friends. And what could be better than that? So many interesting concepts to discuss and so much to think about and ponder about how we live life. I get all jazzed about that stuff so I’m excited I get to do a give away to spread the word. Bob and Virginia would like to give away a free student course. That is four weeks either in person (if there is a teacher in your area) or on-line along with receiving your own book. You pick the course you want here and they will let you know what to do from there. If you want to find out more, click here: http://www.hapacus.com/how-it-works/ If you want to enter the give-away, leave a comment below. If you want a double-chance at winning, tell which video clip you like best from this link in a second comment. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday morning.
I think I need my teenagers to sit this course 😉
Sounds really neat! 🙂
I'm excited to learn more! How cool!!
I would LOVE to read this book! The last time I read a book about being happy, "The Happiness Project", it left me feeling like I was missing something. Well, actually a lot. Pick me, pick me!
Of the two videos, I like the first one the best. I'm in a book club and we're always looking for new materials. According to the video I watched, it's not just a book – but a discussion starter. Perfect!
This sounds wonderful!
This sounds awesome! I would love to win 🙂
I liked the first video. 🙂
Looks like a great book and great course!
This is something I have been thinking about a lot…thanks for sharing it! I think my whole family could benefit from learning the science behind happiness.
Wow, what an incredible idea! Thanks for the chance to win!
This speaks right to me today! I would love the chance to read this book. Thank you!
Very interesting concept!
Very interesting concept!
Very interesting concept!
I adore books on happiness. Sounds like a neat idea to practice what you read. Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite video (so far)is "Choices pt. 2," which recommends investing money in experiences instead of possessions to boost happiness. So true!
What a great idea! Who doesn't want to be happier?
I'd love to win!
This is exactly what I have been praying for as of late. How cool! I hope I win.
I loved all the clips I watched but the one that stuck with me the best was "Happiness 101 – Positivity." It was truly inspiring,
Is love to win! Angellsworth at gmail dot com
I find this subject so fascinating and would love to read the book!
Also, the first video really peaked my interest, although I did enjoy both of them.
This sounds like something I could really benefit from!
Wow this looks amazing! I am looking for a book to do with my book club- this may be a keeper!
Thanks for another opportunity to enrich our lives!
Sounds like a great book/course!
Love to read the book! I believe there is a limitless capacity for joy and happiness… but at times we need to learn new ways to tap into it.
I enjoyed the first video.
Cheers!
This made me feel happy just watching the videos.
I love to be happy.:) Thanks for the chance to win.
I liked the 'vaccine' video.
Thanks for sharing!
This sounds wonderful, I have recently overcome postpartum depression and I am striving to find out a more who I am and where my happiness really comes from. My journey is documented here http://www.imreinventingthemommyhood.blogspot.com I think this program would be a great asset to me.
Favorite video was optimism.
Favorite video was optimism.
Sounds like a good read!
I liked the video about choices.
This looks like a great read!
Who doesn't want to be happier? WE DO!
This looks so inspiring!
I would love to win some happiness!
Hi Shawni,
This sounds like I great book. I checked Amazon, however, it is not listed there. Do you happen to know how one can obtain a copy?
Thanks
I'd like to win. 🙂
Why is this so revolutionary to me!? Amazing! I would love to win!
The clip on choices was like an evaluation of my life! I am such a maximizer and then second guess myself and wonder why I'm not satisfied. . . Great stuff!
this same subject has been on my mind a lot lately…perfect timing!!
I've enjoyed reading some of the stuff on their blog. Would love to win the book!
I think I need this in my life right now! Please enter me for a free course.
Sounds neat!
Sounds like a great class and book! I would love to win.
I would have to do an on-line class (which is actually perfect since I have two littles). Yeah!
I would have to take an on-line course (which is perfect since I have two littles)! Yeah for this!
Wow,sounds so interesting and uplifting! Thanks
I like the happiness 101; explanatory style. Very eye opening.
Out of the videos I enjoyed the Choices part 2. My husband and I have been discussing this very thing concerning our own little family! Thanks
I'd love a copy of the book for my mother. Don't know that I could get her to do the course right now. How can I get a copy? Thanks!
Please enter me in the give-away. I would love this course and the book! Thank you.
Oh my goodness! This would be so phenomenal. I actually have a mental illness, so this could really help!
I like the emotional balance video. It is so true that life is one big juggling act, and in order to be happy… you need to be a first class circus act.
We would love this!
I'd love to learn how to live a "happy life"!
Jen
I am just finishing a book called 'The Happiness Advantage" that has similar ideas. 🙂
This is great! I would love to take this course (and possibly learn how to become a teacher).
I love what the Happiness 101 – Choices pt2 video had to say about investing in experiences rather than objects. My husband and I have been trying to do that more, especially as newlyweds we want more memories, not stuff.
I also really enjoyed the Becoming a Hapacus Teacher video because I'm interested in that. I'm all about spreading joy!
I could use this!
I would love to receive the book. Sounds great!
I thought the 'optimism' video was interesting…
Great giveaway. I would love a chance to win!
Sounds so interesting – I would love for my whole family to learn more about this!
I really liked "the paradox of affluence" video.
This sounds so interesting. I'd love to win!
I'm intrigued!
It sounds like just what I need! Thanks for the fun giveaway.
There is nothing I love more than reading and discussing, especially on the topic of happiness.
Your family is full of so many amazing people! Would love this book (I've bought – literally – every single book you've mentioned on your blog! Amazon thanks you ha!)
MAKE ME HAPPY!
I would love this kind of sunshine in my life! Thanks for the opportunity!
I'm intrigued!
Sounds very interesting!! Would love to learn more!!
Entering the giveaway! You're so blessed to be surrounded by wise people
The video I like the most is the affluence paradox. That's something I've thought about a lot.
I liked the Happiness 101 Choices video!7442
Very intriguing…thanks for the chance to learn more through your give away.
I would love to take this course. thanks so much for sharing!
I'm interested–I'm fascinated by happiness research!
I like the optimism video. Mindset can be so powerful
Wow! What a neat concept, the actual science behind hapiness!
I liked the video on optimism
What a great read!
I liked the one on positivity. Great!
This comes at a perfect time for me. We had our second son in October and I had receive two blood transfusions and took well over 4 months to recover from the birth. our lives were falling apart, so we decided to quit over half of our commitments, and it seems as though we're on the up-swing, but it's proved to have lasting negative effects on our marriage. I'd love to take a course, read a book, anything about this. As a psychology grad and counselor by trade (who now stays home with our two boys), I am fascinated by research into how or why we do things. And that's also why I liked the first video. I am energized by learning that sort of stuff and would love to have the experience AND the knowledge!
Love this kind of thing! Can't wait to read the book.
I'd LOVE to take the course! There's always room for more happiness in life.
Count me in!
I liked the videos about choices. They ring true and it was fun to have someone put names to these most often subconscious approaches to decision-making.
I liked your first video best! And would love to have a copy of this book. If I don't win (which would keep with tradition), where can I get a copy?
I liked your first video best! And would love to have a copy of this book. If I don't win (which would keep with tradition), where can I get a copy?
This is very cool. I would love to win! 🙂
Count me in for a chance to receive this give-away!
The video clip about "Explanatory Style" was thought provoking for me. Thanks!
I would love to have this! My husband has mental health problems and I'm always looking for things to help me fill in the gaps in parenting with my kids. This course looks like it would really benefit my family!
My favorite clip was the one entitled Positivity! I also like the one about using our money to buy things that will provide experiences instead of things…..good to remember for my kids.
I would love to learn more! This course sounds really neat. Thanks!
Wow, what an amazing opportunity! Yes please!
I liked all the ones I could watch…Catharsis was very interesting.
Wow, that looks awesome!
Sounds awesome!
would love to learn more!
would love to learn more!
i'm in London, but love the online option. Thanks!
I'd love to win!
I love anything on happiness. I hope you choose my number. Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds cool. 😉
I'd love to win, sounds great!
Happiness 101- Emotional Balance
I like the Emotional Balance video
I would love to take this class. I think it's something I could definitely use in my life right now!
This is the coolest thing i have seen and so important for individuals, society, corporations, government. So many lives can change with this awesome program. I am excited to read the book and take a class.
I LOVED THE POSITIVE video. My husband and I have a goal to compliment and focus on the positive every day. It is easier to focus on the negative because Satan is here to destroy marriages and families and individuals and he does this by negativity and discouragement. I need to be better at being positive and as I do I know I will be more happy!!
Happiness? You bet! Sign me up.
This might help a lot!
This could do wonders for my yours mine and ours modern family 🙂
Just started a new book club for women of all ages. Would love to read and discuss this book with the wonderful ladies in the book club!
I would love to be involved in this. I have gone through a lot lately and would love to truly be happy again
Sounds great!
I liked the "Did you Know" video
I'd love it! I saw a little sign about "the happiness bicycle" on Marva's fridge in January and have wondered!
This book sounds like something I need right now in my life!!
Tried to watch the videos but couldnt, the introductory video was superb though!
I would love the chance to win, thank you!
I love taking an in-depth study of important things like this.
I just finished reading "The Happiness Project" and this would be a wonderful follow up to that!
This sounds like a great book for our next book group. I'll have to check out the video clips too.
I'd love to read the book. It sounds like just what I need. 🙂
this sounds right up my alley! thanks for the chance to win!
What a great idea. I would love some hands on learning in this area!
Could really use this right about now!!! Sounds awesome, thanks
I liked the first link the best… It intrigued me
I'm officially intrigued!
I would love this… I would really really love this.
Just watched "Happy" the documentary! love the topic.
Hope to win!
I just read this loved " Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking
My 2013 Word is HAPPY. I want to learn more about being happy. I want to savor moments of happiness. I want to radiate happiness. I choose happiness! Looks like a great read. I hope I win, but if not I will order online!
I'd love this book! I would like to teach a Hapacus Course!
I've watched about half the videos. One that stood out for me was "Explanatory Style."
I loved both videos! The first one kind of struck a cord with me though, the thought of learning the science of happiness and then teaching it THRILLS me. That is cool.
what an interesting idea. I was just thinking tonight about how my own attitude affects other people's attitudes.
ktrinnaman at gmail dot com
…and I liked the video on choices because my husband and I can NEVER make a decision. It's exhausting! 🙂
I would love the opportunity. I've actually been thinking about happiness lately (I watched the "Happy" documentary and it has just been on my mind), so it would be timely.
I also like the ideas in Choice part 2. Investing in experiences! Family vacations growing up are some of my favorite memories.
We can all use some Happiness!
This course sounds amazing! What a great giveaway. I would love to win!
I could use some more focuss on hapiness,and a course would be great, though I have no clue how it would work for me. But still …
Oh, and I like the Emotional Balance video.
Looks Great! Would love to win this.
My favorite clip was the self-bias. very interesting concept.
Everyone could use a little extra happiness myself included. Count me in please!
Yes – I, too, would love to read this book. I've read a lot on the topic but I still need a lot of practice… As a child, someone once said I was "at awe with the beauty of life but not weighed down by it." I want to reclaim that!
I liked the first video because of the way it demonstrates how science can provide insight into our behaviors and resulting emotions and how we can make better choices in our perceptions and about what we choose to focus on.
I need this! Our family was just hit with an autism diagnosis and I need to get my feet back under me!
The emotional balance video was my favorite 🙂
I truly appreciate people who help me to think deeper about important issues =)
Great giveaway! I would love to win this. 🙂
Yes Please!
I really liked the video clip "Choices."
I love that you are giving away happiness! 🙂 ha!ha! I liked the science of happiness video. It offers a different approach to think about happiness. Our brain is only designed for survival, not happiness…interesting…
Oh, this looks AWESOME! I love the video Happiness 101-choices. Thanks!
This would be WONDERFUL! We've got a pretty full plate right now with my being in school full-time and working part-time at my kid's school, and my husband is currently out of work. It's getting a little tougher to find those happy moments right now–could sure use some help!
Thanks for all your thoughts and insights here on your blog, Shawni. I'm a daily follower and I LOVE your insights. Keep on being amazing!
Hi 71 Toes,
This is Virginia Pothier, Shawni's sister-in-law and Co-Founder of Hapacus. Thanks for the post Shawni! We're so glad you enjoyed the course.
If you want more information on taking a course or teaching a course, you can contact me directly. My email is virginia@hapacus.com, or call (855) 722-4165.
Virginia Pothie
This book would be such a huge blessing! I love that it is the science of happiness.
My favorite video is "pleased to meet you." I like how we get to see your brother and sis in law and they explain how the project came to be. I would love to take a class!
I'd LOVE this! You can never have too much happiness 🙂
We need more genuine happiness in this world. Would love to learn more about this book/course.
I liked the first video 'Did you know? Science of happiness facts'. I liked all the thought provoking questions and the comment that our brains are built for survival and not happiness.
I would live the opportunity to learn more.
I would love to take this class! =)
I really enjoyed "The Paradox of Affluence". It was just what I needed to hear today!
I'm signing up for Hapacus (still hoping to win it for free, though!)–I want to bring it to Kansas City because I love the concept. It falls in line with some of the work I did on depression research at Duke University, before I had kids and made the decision to raise them. My husband Mark (a psychologist) worked with one of the scientists, Dr. Kashdan, years ago at MUSC in Charleston, so he got a kick out of seeing the website and finding out what Todd was up to now. Small world!
Would love to win–thank you for introducing me to this!
I loved the video on money and science on how it doesnt equate happiness. Thought provoking.
I sure want to win it!
Would love to win — thank you for your beautiful blog already happier for having discovered it!
I love the video on the science of happiness.
I would love to win, this would be an awesome book to share with my girlfriends and my daughter.
What a fun looking book!
I'd love to win:)
This is awesome.
I loved the optimism video.
Thanks for the chance to win this. Seems like you have some great family members.
I would love to win this!
I would be "happy" to win. =)
How interesting.. Would love to read that book!
This looks amazing, like something I would like to teach if it is that good. I have 5 kids and I love to be a mom and I can see how this would help us all. Kids ages, 12, 8, 6, 4, 1
I hope I win,
Thanks!
LJB
I'd love to read it!
What I great idea. I would love to win!
Thanks for this opportunity. I'm excited to learn more!
I am the 2nd counselor in the Young Womens in my ward. When I had a presidency meeting with my cute beehives and we discussed ideas for activities, I was a little shocked to learn the they wanted to learn how to be more happy. Since then I have tried to plan activites centered around finding happiness. This seems like it may be the perfect thing to help my girls or at least put me on the right track with them. I am totally interested. Please share how to get a copy of this book. I liked the first video. It captured my attention right away and I would love to share it with my young women!
I Love this idea! lately,I've been felling like I should be more happy
This looks like a fantastic book to add to my Happiness library!
I like the positivity video!
I am intrigued! I know that we wake up each day and choose to be happy or not. Some days it's harder to make the happiness choice. Thinking about happiness as a science is pretty cool. Please pick me!!! (I like the video about choices) To me life is all about the choices we make.
This book sounds great!
I like the science of happiness facts video.
I would absolutely love the opportunity to attend this class and read the book. Thank you for the opportunity m
I enjoyed the emotional balance segment. There were some good points. It really got me thinking. I am excited to learn more.
I'm always up for more happiness. 🙂
Sounds awesome.
Hopefully it's not too late. I would love to read the book 🙂 very interesting
And the video I like is the positivity video 🙂
I'm excited for the possibility of this!
Sounds great!
I might be too late, but if not this sounds like an awesome book.
so glad you just extended this and reminded us!
I'd love to win! My library does not have a copy.
This would be a great book I'm sure any mom would love!
Interesting book! Would love to win!
This a great idea for a program! As a church youth leader, I think this would be really valuable for older students or college-agers as well.
I chose to watch the "Choices" video first, and it really made me think! Crazy how just a quick, 3 min clip can get the wheels turning.
You can never have to much happiness!! 😀
I would be "HAPPY" to win this!!
I would love to win this!
My favorite video is the happiness 101-positivity one.
Would love to win!
jmojmo24 [at] gmail [dot] com
This sounds great! Might have to get that book!
I liked the first video!
Looks very interesting! Would love to read the book. I liked the first video first.
I could really use this right about now. Thanks for the opportunity.
Sounds wonderful. I would love to learn more how to be happy…and then apply it. Thanks for the opportunity.
I enjoyed the choices video!
I'd love to read this book!
My favorite video is the one on self bias. Never thought about that before!
you have inspired me- i check out your posts all the time and try to implement different techniques in my own family. You make it look easy, but if I am reading your blog correctly you put a lot of love, sweat, tears and hard work into it! I would love this book, I bought your parents and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for all you do.
I would LOVE to read this book!
I just watched the video on "emotional balance" and it all sounds so interesting! Definitely something I would like to learn more about!
I would love to read this book. 🙂
My favorite video is the paradox of affluence.
I liked the emotional balance video
I am happy, but I could be happier. Also, I like the positivity video.
Looks like something I would love to read and put into practice!
This book looks awesome! I would love a chance to read it!
This book looks awesome! I would love a chance to read it.
I love reading about happiness and learning new principles to apply to my life!
The positivity video is very informative.
This looks very interesting!
I would love it!
Great idea! I would love to learn more!
I would love this! I so need something like this in my life right now! pick me!:)
Happiness is kind of my thing. I hope I win!
This looks awesome, thanks for the chance!
Getting in at the last possible moment 😉 but I would sure love a chance to win! Thanks for extending…it sure made me happy!
I liked the science of happiness video and the optimism video. I think I would like every single one if I had time to listen right now.
Im excited to hear more about this
Sounds interesting!
I would love to do this course, it is such an amazing idea!
I liked the Optimism clip.
This looks so interesting! Where can I buy the book?
I'd love to read the book!