Happiness you could say is listening to a talk by David Warden...
Well it is when you gel with his topic and agree wholeheartedly with just about everything he says.
I thought David did an excellent job on this complex subject - it was very obvious he had put in many hours work reading and researching whether happiness is a science or simply a spontaneous state of mind.
We heard a lot about brain chemicals and pheromones and also how happiness statistically is more fulfilled for folk living in some countries than in others.
David helpfully allowed the audience to chip in regularly with their comments and I wasn't surprised at a general feeling that happiness needs its opposite to define it, so few folk wanted to be frozen into some state of permanent bliss - lest they forget what they are blissful about!
A very honest moment came in the talk when a photo of a youthful David flashed up on the screen with the admission from our lecturer that he had suffered depression in those early years.
And coming to terms with his sexuality as a gay man, also took its toll on David's happiness quotient.
He gave us many tips on how to turn grumpiness into contentment - one of which was to count our blessings (sorry politically incorrect word with religious connotations) and to be grateful for the beauty and complexity of nature.
David always has a beaming smile when you walk in the door - now we know why!
Comments other HASSNERites?

Thank you Dave for this lovely feedback. I was uncertain about including the autobiographical stuff in case people thought it self-indulgent but on balance I think people appreciate self-disclosure from the speaker. I certainly enjoyed the session and the excellent audience participation.

The personal material was important David.
In my view it always lifts the subject from statistics to real life - people love that.
I was touched by your frankness.
When you think about it - just about all the audience comments were of a personal nature - how we all find or create happiness. And the views were useful and illuminating.