Happiness is everything. Where there is happiness, everything else is possible and so we asked the community to tell us what makes them happy.

Lauren Cohen | Professional Close-Up Magician & Social Media and Creative Design Manager

Connection. It’s hard to care about something without a connection, and connection allows endless opportunities. As a magician, I not only love magic and performing magic, but I love the opportunities for connection. One of the biggest reasons I perform close-up magic versus stage magic or other types of magic is because I love connecting with people in intimate settings, and learning more about what makes each person unique. Read more>>

Sidney Buggs IV | Gaming Content Creator

My family makes me happy. Why? They keep me motivated. My wife encouraging me to be myself, be organic, have confidence in myself to know that I can do this. Of course my daughter being the star of just having so much joy in her little heart. Keeps me smiling every day. Read more>>

Steve Semeraro | The Innocent Bystanders Band

The Innocent Bystanders love to play music as part of a group. The camaraderie, the humor, and the joy that comes from creating a sound together is difficult to communicate to someone who doesn’t do it. Think about the joy you feel when you hear a song that you really love. Then, imagine watching the artist perform that song with a group of friends who share your joy. Multiply that by 10 and you would come close to the feeling of playing music with others. When it’s right — it makes you happy like nothing else. Read more>>

Trinh Mai | Fine Art Professional

I find it interesting that so many of us have the desire to be “happy”. From what I’ve learned and experience, “happiness” seems to be temporal. The things that make me “happy” may not be the things that truly fulfill me. For example, I’m not happy when I’m racing toward a deadline (but I’m grateful for the work), or when I’ve run out of titanium white (but I’m enthusiastic about the vision), or when I’m stuck on a work of art that I’ve been staring at for months (but I know that this is a necessary test of patience to help refine my character). Read more>>

Kayleigh Efird | Fiber Artist & Illustrator

Being an artist makes me the happy! Having a creative practice motivates me spiritually and makes me feel accomplished. I have a sense of reassurance after I finish a project because I’ve contributed to the tradition of making. I often remember Kurt Vonnegut’s advice to young people: “Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get any money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.” Read more>>