If you were a parent, grandparent, or small child during the past forty years, Sesame Street was probably a large part of your routine. Intentionally or sub-consciously, we all sang along, played along, learned along. Sesame Street was a constantly changing show. New faces, new Muppets, new themes - but one segment was guaranteed. At some point, someone would come forward and say "Today's show is brought to you by the Letter ____." Bert and Ernie would sing a song about the letter, or it would rise, gigantic, out of a pool filled with children. Regardless of the set-up, the moral was the same: one little letter can change your life. And, as it most often is, Sesame Street was correct. Focusing on, singing about, celebrating the letter "H" can change your life. As Ernie would say, "Think of all the lovely words that start with 'H.'" Today and every day are brought to you by happiness, hope, and humor.
Happiness has many definitions. Happiness is one of the "Big Six" emotions, according to many theorists (also: surprise, fear, disgust, anger, and sadness.) To the hedonists, happiness is simply the maximization of positive sensory input. Yet, according to cognitive therapists like Arnold A. Lazarus, happiness results from "making reasonable progress towards the realization of a goal." Happiness is thought to be physically caused by high concentrations of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in the brain, also attributed to waves of euphoria. Recent studies show that one's coping mechanisms can increase a person's happiness level, as can feelings of pride and self-efficacy.
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