Spreading happiness one person at a time is the mission and vision of the founder of the “I am Happy Project” Edwin Edebiri. The first time I met him he handed me a card and on one side it asked a question: On a scale of 1 -10, how happy are you. And on the other side was a list of the “Ten Ways to Be Happy.”
I have been following the happiness movement through the activities of the I am Happy Project. I was there when they visit the Shriner Children’s Hospital in Sacramento and passed out dozens of the “I an Happy” pins for the children.
The First Annual Global Happiness Summit will take place October 2010 aboard the UUS Hornet in Alameda, California. With over a dozen speakers, vendors and activities, it promises to be a transformation event.
Edwin was happy to answer my questions and share his mission and vision for spreading happiness globally.
1. The Global Happiness Summit is billed as the most important and dynamic event in the history of the happiness movement. What is the happiness movement?
A: With all the focus on problems in the world, the happiness movement is a conscious effort to shift that and focus on happiness as an option.
2. What inspired you to become a leader in the happiness movement?
A: It was an answer to a very simple question, what can I do as an individual to shift people’s mind from all the negative gloom and doom that was everywhere in early 2009 to something more positive?
3. Why is spreading happiness important to you?
A: I do not like the direction things are heading. People killing others with little irritation, others depending on drugs for their day to day living and still more people pursuing their goals and dream at the expense of their happiness. It is a direction that has to be reversed and can be done if people understand and lay a foundation for happiness first.
4. How did you get the title – Chief Happiness Officer? And the name for “I am Happy Project?
A: CHO – In the beginning when I started going out talking to people, a young man came to one of the sessions I did and he said, Wow! You must be one of the “Head Honcho” of happiness?” I understood what he was getting at, but I thought how do I go around being the Head Honcho of Happiness – it didn’t sound right. Well, I didn’t want to be CEO and so I said how about CHO. And he said that makes since – Chief Happiness Officer
As for the “I am Happy Project” There is three parts to it.
First is “I am” – I have always believed in the power of affirmation, I wanted it to be simple and present, as in this moment. This is what happiness is, now, not yesterday or tomorrow, just now.
The second part is “happy” this is what it is all about, to encourage people to focus on Happiness, talk about it and act upon it.
Finally is the “project” I wanted to make sure it was bigger than me and ongoing never-ending work.
I was looking for a name that was self explanation, inclusive and ongoing, that is where the project came in.
5. What in your background specifically qualifies you to be a leader in the happiness movement?
A: First thing I tell people when it comes to qualification, is that I do not have a Ph.D. in anything, I do not have training in Psychology or sociology (except me be what was required as a general study for your undergraduate years) and finally, I am not a licensed counselor. I am just a happy guy that wants to see other people happy
6. What makes you proud of your involvement with the happiness movement?
A: The testimonies is definitely on top of the list, people write or tell me the impact it is having on their lives. The people I have attracted into the movement is totally awesome (like you). Finally, one of my early goals is to have the media talking about happiness as they talk about recession, and that is happening.
7. What does the future hold for the I am Happy Project?
A: To continue to spread happiness globally one person at a time. To encourage members to volunteer at hospitals, nursing home, and group homes, raise money for great causes.
8. What makes the Global Happiness Summit an event that other people MUST attend and WHY?
A: The summit has two primary objectives, to help individuals increase and sustain their happiness and 10-10-10, (10 items to raise the global happiness index by 10 points over the next 10 years)
9. You have card that list 10 ways to be happy. How did you come up with that list?
A: After talking with over 700 people on the subject of happiness and they telling me what make them happy and unhappy, I decided to compile what people were telling me in an easy way to use.
(People were saying I should write a book, but I know that takes too much time and I wanted to get this out right way)
10. What do you think motivates people to become involved in the happiness movement? What motivated you to get into this unusual movement?
A: People truly feel good about helping other people. Helping to spread happiness is one very simple way to help people. When People ask me what do you do? When I say I spread happiness, they get excited and want to be a part of it.
11. If one of our readers thinks that “Happiness” is not attainable or sustainable, what would you say to convince them it is?
A: For one there is a lot of sciences that now back up that you can learn to be happy just like you learn most things. So I will encourage them to 1. Focus on happiness 2. Make time for it, 3. Learn some of the tools that make people happy – including the ten ways to be happy and to wear the “I am Happy” pin. 4. To spread happiness – You see, “Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
12. What is your final message to our readers?
A: Since whatever we focus on grows, Focus on Happiness and watch it grow in your life and in the world.
Author: Anita Crawford Clark
Visionary, Author and founder of Abundant Life Success Academy, Anita Crawford Clark helps thousands of entrepreneurs discover their purpose, back it with passion and live it joy. Whether leading a social media workshop, seminar or speaking you'll feel her contagious energy and passion in all she says and does. See the Chief happiness Officer in his live interview on Sacramento & Company in this YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwPvf7r54A To learn how you can help raise the level of happiness on the planet, get a free Ten ways to be happy card and find out more about the Global Happiness Summit visit http://IamHappyProject.org
