Can YouLearn to BeHappy? YES . . . according to the teacher of HarvardUniversity’s most popular and life-changingcourse. One out of every five Harvard studentshas lined up to hear Tal Ben-Shahar’sinsightful and inspiring lectures on thatever-elusive state: HAPPINESS. HOW? Grounded in the revolutionary “positive psychology” movement,Ben-Shahar ingeniously combines scientific studies, scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment. He weaves them together into a set of principles that you can apply to your daily life. Once you open your heart and mind to Happier ’s thoughts, you will feel more fulfilled, more connected . . . and, yes, HAPPIER. “Dr. Ben-Shahar, one of the most popular teachers in Harvard’s recent history, has written a personal, informed, and highly enjoyable primer on how to become happier. It would be wise to take his advice.” --Ellen J. Langer, author of Mindfulness and On Becoming an Artist “This fine book shimmers with a rare brand of good sense that is imbedded in scientific knowledge about how to increase happiness. It is easy to see how this is the backbone of the most popular course at Harvard today." --Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness Tal Ben-Shahar is the New York Times Bestselling author of Happier. He taught the most popular course in Harvard and is currently writing, consulting, and lecturing worldwide on positive psychology and leadership. He holds his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard. Can YouLearn to BeHappy? YES . . . according to the teacher of HarvardUniversity’s most popular and life-changingcourse. One out of every five Harvard studentshas lined up to hear Tal Ben-Shahar’sinsightful and inspiring lectures on thatever-elusive state: HAPPINESS. HOW? Grounded in the revolutionary “positive psychology” movement,Ben-Shahar ingeniously combines scientific studies, scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment. He weaves them together into a set of principles that you can apply to your daily life. Once you open your heart and mind to Happier ’s thoughts, you will feel more fulfilled, more connected . . . and, yes, HAPPIER. “Dr. Ben-Shahar, one of the most popular teachers in Harvard’s recent history, has written a personal, informed, and highly enjoyable primer on how to become happier. It would be wise to take his advice.” --Ellen J. Langer, author of Mindfulness and On Becoming an Artist “This fine book shimmers with a rare brand of good sense that is imbedded in scientific knowledge about how to increase happiness. It is easy to see how this is the backbone of the most popular course at Harvard today." --Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness If you're a “rat racer,” who lives inthe hope of being happy in the future, and yet isunable to enjoy the here-and-now . . . If you're a “hedonist,” who findssome pleasure in the good things in life--goodwine, good food, good company--and yet isunable to enjoy lasting fulfillment . . . If you're a “nihilist,” who’s completelygiven up on finding happiness . . . you can learn to be happier! Thousands of Harvard University students havediscovered that you can become happier. Theylearned the secret to lasting fulfillment fromacclaimed teacher Tal Ben-Shahar’s class onpositive psychology--a branch of psychologythat combines the latest scientific research withgood old common sense. Now you can join hisclass and learn how positive psychology canmake you happier right now--no lottery windfall,job promotion, or new love required. Think of Happier as your own personalworkbook. As you read each chapter’s illuminatingdiscussion on happiness and incorporateits simple exercises into your daily routine, youwill see every aspect of your life with new eyesand a new sense of purpose. When you learn how to live for today andfor tomorrow at the same time, you learn how tobalance your immediate personal needs withlong-term goals and enjoy life as you never havebefore. Tal Ben-Shahar is the New York Times Bestselling author of Happier. He taught the most popular course in Harvard and is currently writing, consulting, and lecturing worldwide on positive psychology and leadership. He holds his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard. Happier Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment By TAL BEN-SHAHAR McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2007 Tal Ben-Shahar All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-07-149239-3 Contents Chapter One The Question of Happiness In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. — Albert Einstein I was sixteen years old when I won the Israeli national squash championship. It was an event that brought the subject of happiness into sharp focus in my life. I had always believed that winning the title would make me happy, would alleviate the emptiness I felt so much of the time. For the five years I had trained for the event I f