Feb ‘24 BOTS: The Happiness Policy
February’s Book on the Shelf
Title: The Happiness Policy
Author(s): Laura Musikanski, Rhonda Phillips, Jean Crowder
Dimensions of Well-being: Social, Emotional, Environmental
Take-aways: The old way of measuring growth in our country (GDP) isn’t working anymore (if it ever did). It fails to consider two important aspects of humanity: well-being, and sustainability. This book takes a look at how the governments of other countries are using policy to put the well-being of their people at top priority, through the GNH (Gross National Happiness). The book provides sound evidence for the benefit of the “Happiness" Movement”, and resources so that anyone in the community, from the citizen to the policymaker, can begin the process of making “happiness and well-being the purpose of their government.”
You'll LOVE this book if: You believe that “the purpose of the government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness” like Thomas Jefferson did; and you want to be a positive influence for change, instead of a bystander.
DON'T read if: You have no interest in policy, well-being at a community scale, and/or or hands-on work to improve happiness and flourishing in your government/society.
Reasons I love this book: There are books that sell you on an idea, and books that make you think more deeply. Some books provide concrete examples of scientific evidence that makes it hard to ignore the issues, while others give you applicable strategies to elicit change. This book checks all those boxes, and more.
The Happiness Policy Handbook begins with a robust overview of the Happiness Movement (which includes outcomes like compassionate communities; ethical, accountable, and accessible government; fair economies; just societies; and thriving natural environments), without being daunting in their recount. For those who already have an interest in well-being and flourishing, the authors confirm your intuitions, and leave you with a list of new intellectual paths to explore.
The book continues on with a deeper dive into what Happiness Policy entails, and how it contributes to the Happiness-Sustainability Connection. For those readers who appreciate graphs, models, and scientific evidence, you will not be disappointed.
The most endearing aspect of this book however, is the applicability of the final sections, in which the authors, being policymakers and community changers themselves, provide tangible and actionable steps to begin enacting the Happiness Policy approach in the reader’s community, whether they be a concerned citizen, or a policymaker themselves.
If you believe that happiness is the purpose of your government, and you’re ready to be the change you wish to see in this world, be sure to pick up this book, highlight and dog-ear the heck out of it, and get to work.
And be sure to tell this flourish enthusiast how it’s going for you.
Find it here on Amazon.
Ready for more?
Looking to make happiness part of your organization, community, or own personal life? Let’s Chat! - Coach Woody
