Translating wellbeing research into positive community experiences.
The two main elements of a Positivity Matters:
- Hope to Flourish Circles – a small-group conversation format designed to strengthen positive mental wellbeing.
- Annual community celebrations (Lincoln | Omaha) on or around March 20th – the International Day of Happiness.
- Seeds of Kindness: do five acts of kindness between January 20th, MLK Jr. Day, and March 20th, the International Day of Happiness.
Our wellbeing model can be summarized with the acronym H.A.P.P.Y. L.I.F.E.:
- Health – physical and mental wellbeing.
- Aesthetic experience – natural and created beauty.
- Play – creativity, games, the arts, sport, humor, good conversation…
- Pleasure – the thing that makes positive emotions positive.
- Yes-saying – What values do we say yes to?
- Life – the web of life.
- Information – the goodness of knowledge.
- Friendship – the pinnacle of positive social interaction.
- Engagement – absorption, flow, being in the zone.
We host the Positivity Matters podcast (Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music) (archive)
Upcoming International Day of Happiness celebrations:
Omaha Celebrates the International Day of Happiness!
Thursday, March 20, 2025
8:30am-8:00pm
UNO Thompson Alumni Center
Lincoln Celebrates the International Day of Happiness!
Saturday, March 22, 2025
10:30am-5:30pm
Charles H. Gere Branch Library
2400 S 56th St, Lincoln, NE 68506
Ongoing Events:
Hope to Flourish Circles: www.positivitymatters.org/HopeToFlourish
An open source small-group conversation format designed to strengthen the positive mental wellbeing of members.
Video clips of past Positivity Matters events and media coverage.
Advisors:
- Richard Dienstbier, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Dr. Dienstbier on physiological toughness: article | book) (video of Dr. Dienstbier speaking on love and physiological toughness | podcast with Dr. Dienstbier speaking on nutrition, toughness, and human flourishing)
- Shane George, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of North Florida (Dr. George on autonomy and authenticity) (Dr George co-presenting on humor, a prime form of playfulness, at an event we organized to celebrate the 2018 International Day of Happiness)
Contact:
Nick Hernandez, Community Builder
Call/text: 402-909-5203