The Little Book of Lykke: Secrets of the World's Happiest People (The Happiness Institute Series)

by Meik Wiking

Find ways you can volunteer to help others. Improve your community and develop your sense of purpose.

Hand out smiles and friendly remarks. They are free.

“There is an important word in Brazil: simpático. It refers to a range of desirable social qualities—to be friendly, nice, agreeable, and good-natured, a person who is fun to be with and pleasant to deal with. It is a social quality. Brazilians want to be seen as simpático. And going out of one’s way to assist strangers is part of this image.”

people reporting from a waiting room at the doctor’s that they found wool, knitting needles, and a half-knitted scarf with a note that read: “Feel free to knit while you wait. When it is finished, we will give the scarf to a homeless person.”

a word for a present you give as an apology (Drachenfutter—literally, “dragon fodder”)

Freedom is organizing our lives so that our happiness does not depend on how much we earn.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

What will bring us forward is a spirit of trust and cooperation and the realization that we are one another’s keepers. What will bring us forward is being freed of fear and showing kindness to strangers. What will bring us forward is redesigning our cities to ensure health and happiness and removing the price tag on quality of life.

Let’s put a positive spin on the phrase “If you see something, say something.” If you see something that increases the happiness of you, your community, or the world as a whole, talk about it, write about it, film it, photograph it—and pass it on.

At the Happiness Research Institute, we will be following the hashtag #Look4Lykke on social media. Tell us what works when it comes to improving quality of life. In what ways are people and societies paving the way to happiness? We are looking for micro-libraries, community gardens, and all those things that we may have had no idea even existed. We are listening to the people and the ideas that have a positive impact on you and on our world.