Joyful Recipe

The one thing in this world that keeps folks healthy and happy is not a top secret. The recipe is having a group of people in your life who are uplifting and joyful. Backing this is the longest running study on human development which was lead by George Vaillant, MD on what makes humans happy. Dr. Vaillant explains, “Happiness is love, full stop.” While Dr. Vaillant focuses his study on men, this is the longest study I know that is documented. I wanted to use this as a baseline as it is interesting so not to exclude the ladies. In my opinion, both men and women can find love in the presence of a great community and through common interests. How cool is that?

The power in this verse is a great reminder Psalms 133:1 explains, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” The more we are united doing positive uplifting work the more that we will see positive outcomes poured into the lives of people.

I think of how wonderful nature is and how nature speaks with simple experiences. A month ago, I was out mountain biking with a friend and we noticed a coyote in the foothills. Shortly after, two more come out of the brush they were hunting together. I thought about that- not only were they hunting together -they were doing life together and surviving together. We as people can consider to continue to do this for each other as it will allow us to live, grow, love and survive together. We can consider to practice this great work and this great recipe as it has worked not just for the longest human study but in nature. Consider building community through your hobbies and through things that give you joy. Blessings everyone! Go out there and spread that joyful recipe!

Works Cited

Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study. Cambridge, MA: PB — Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2012.

The Bible

Picture taken by Rafael Avendano at Russian Ridge Open Space