It's Okay to be Happy....Even Now

Find joy where you can

As I give talks about my new book, I’m finding that people urgently want to feel happier despite—or maybe because of—what’s happening in the world. There seems to be an intrinsic understanding that being depressed doesn’t lead to action. If you want to make your world better on a personal or political level, you need a bit of hope and an ability to believe in the positive.

Sometimes the smallest physical actions can help. A lot of research shows that smiling sends a message to your brain that make you feel better and happier. Even fake smiles work (it’s all about your brain sensing the position of your facial muscles) but better when you do it for real. Here are a few things that brought me genuine pleasure lately. I hope they do the same for you.

Music that Thrills

For sheer joy, you can’t do better than the colors, music, and exuberant dancing in Buena Vista Social Club now on Broadway. I had never seen the movie and didn’t know the album on which it’s based, but the rhythms and spirit of the Cuban music proved irresistible. The story moves back and forth between the 1950s when the young singers are just beginning and 1996 when they gather again to record the thrilling album. Different stars play the roles at each age, perfectly embodying the endless possibilities of youth—and the wryer more knowing perspective that comes once you’ve survived a revolution. The ebullient choreography of Justin Peck (always brilliant) and Patricia Delgado guarantee you will finish the evening happier than you started.

The effervescent musical where you jump for joy. (Photo: Matthew Murphy/Polk&Co)

Boop For Joy

It's slightly embarrassing to admit just how much I loved Boop! The Musical. As a serious author of non-fiction books, how could I take such delight in a show about….Betty Boop? Jasmine Amy Rogers’ incredible star turn as Boop makes falling in love with this show easy. She’s not only a sensational singer and dancer, she makes you believe in the cartoon character who has come to life and is searching to find out who she is.

The razzle-dazzle show has an actual heart and story along with some fabulous tap-dancing numbers. You don’t even have to tuck away your intellectual side to love Boop—the show is smart and clever. The same writer, Bob Martin, did the book for this show and the new musical Smash, based on the TV show. In reviewing the two, the Washington Post said that “only one ignites.” It gave full kudos to Boop and found Smash lacking in verve or purpose. The New York Times felt exactly the opposite. I suppose the answer is to go wherever you find your own joy. I am team Boop all the way.

Sensational Jasmine Amy Rogers’ star-making debut (Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/BBBWay)

Oceans of Happiness

Back when I worked as a TV producer, I spent many days each month in LA with a generous expense account that let me stay at fancy hotels. I eventually got offered a big job in television and wanted to move, but my New York-based family objected. It took my older son (then in middle school) to convince me.

“If we live in LA, you won’t be staying at the Peninsula Hotel” he said.

I thought of that last week when I visited LA to give a talk at Zibby’s Bookshop and stayed in Santa Monica at the beautiful Oceana Hotel—a place I would be very happy to live. Our enormous oceanfront room looked out at the most beautiful part of the Palisades Park and had every lovely amenity I could want. The hotel is small enough to feel personal and you can go around the corner to the charming shops and restaurants on Montana Avenue. For a few days, I felt the message of my book coming to life as my body sent endless messages of happiness. A glorious room near sunshine and water does its magic.

View from our room at the Oceana Hotel, Santa Monica. I’m ready to move in.

Author Leslie Lehr joined me as a conversation partner at Zibby’s and we had a delightful and engaged crowd. Extra special thanks to the LA friends I don’t get to see very much who came out and made it all even more fun.

I finished the evening smiling—and I hope everyone else did too.

Thanks for all your support as I continue doing events for What Your Body Knows About Happiness. I’ll be at the library in Kent, Connecticut this Saturday at 3 pm. If you’re nearby, please come and say hello!

Love,

Janice