Translating wellbeing science into generative community experiences.
www.PositivityMatters.org
Elements of Positivity Matters:
- Organizing community events around the H.A.P.P.Y. L.I.F.E. themes of positive psychology:
- On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Nebraska celebrates the International Day of Hope (Facebook)!
- 2025 International Day of Happiness celebrations: Lincoln, NE | Omaha, NE
- Seeds of Kindness: acts of kindness sow seeds of happiness and hope!
- The Hope Generator: building a H.A.P.P.Y. L.I.F.E. bridge of hope with small-group conversation.
- The Positivity Matters podcast (Spotify | Apple | YouTube | Amazon) (archive | formerly Community Matters)
- Happiness Lincoln: celebrating the 15th anniversary of the birth of positive psychology when the threads or wellbeing research were roped together at an event that took place in Lincoln, NE in 1999. Additional past events and coverage.
Wellbeing science can be summarized with the acronym H.A.P.P.Y. L.I.F.E.:
- Health: physical and mental.
- Aesthetic experience: natural and created beauty.
- Play: the pursuit and creation of the interesting.
- Pleasure: liking
- Yes-saying: What values do we say yes to?
- Life: the web of life.
- Information: knowledge/know-how.
- Friendship: good social health.
- Engagement: absorption in flow.
H.A.P.P.Y. L.I.F.E. Advisory Council:
- Health: 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)
- Aesthetic experience:
- Yes-saying: 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 Lincoln’s 2018 International Day of Happiness celebration)
Video clips of past Positivity Matters events and media coverage.
Above: Nick holding the International Day of Happiness proclamation from the Omaha City Council
Nick Hernandez, Community Builder
[email protected]
Call/Text: 402-909-5203
Profiles of my top strengths:
CliftonStrengths: Connectedness | Maximizer | Futuristic | Strategic | Positivity
VIA strengths: Curiosity | Zest | Humor (Playfulness) | Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence | Hope
Free VIA Survey of Character Strengths: Registration | Take Test | Handbook