During these difficult times where many are experiencing loneliness and cabin fever, I decided to sign up for a Yale Course online called:
“The Science and Practice of Happiness.”
My 25-year-old son said I could get a certificate from Yale for $50 and since I’m interested in learning new topics, and there’s no going out for fun, why not take advantage of our downtime.
This course is taught by Professor Laurie Santos and her welcome video is filmed in her home in front of her class of 20 or so Yale students. She says:
“We’ll explore what new results in psychological science teach us about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed, and how to flourish more. We’ll then have a chance to put these scientific findings into practice by building the sorts of habits that will allow us to live a happier and more fulfilling life.”
Dr. Laurie Santos
Professor Santos created this Yale course because she was worried about the levels of student depression, anxiety, and stress that she was seeing as a Professor and Head of College at Yale.
Her class became the most popular class ever taught at Yale University. The Yale class was featured in both the national and international news media, and she was flooded with requests from people around the world to find a way to share the content of this Yale class more broadly.
Her goal is to share the insights from that popular Yale class with learners far beyond Yale. To make the lectures feel more intimate, classes were filmed at her home in one of Yale’s residential colleges with a small group of Yale students in the audience.
The show takes listeners through the latest scientific research and shares surprising and inspiring stories that will forever alter the way you think about happiness.
Welcome letter from Professor Santos
Find Your Signature Strengths
I started week One and was eager to discover my Character Strengths. I took the test below and would love to for you to share your results with me via a comment below, or e-mail me: Sonia@SoniaMarsh.com To identify your Character Strengths, take the online test available on the VIA website. The test comprises 120 questions and takes 30 minutes or so. There are no right/wrong answers, and there are no better/worse answers. The key is to be authentic, so that you can derive the most from the experience. Encourage your co-workers, friends, and family to take the questionnaire too, so that you can discuss your respective scores and the idea behind the VIA with them. After taking the test, you will get the ranking of your 24 strengths. Print it out if you can and keep track of your top 5 strengths.
So glad you found something to help during this trying time
Susan, yes this course definitely helps and makes me realize that I love to learn and I’m curious and creative, with a zest for life.
Over the years you have made your father very real to your online friends. I think you get your sense of adventure from him and with him.
I too took the Yale course and enjoyed it.
May you find happiness even as you grieve.
Thank you Shirley. So good to hear from you. I was not aware of this, but it makes me happy that I came across as extremely proud of my father.
Sorry to hear about your dad.
Thank you Monica. I hope you’re doing well. Seems like such a long time since we last met.
Oh Sonia, I am so sorry and sad to hear about your father😔
I’ve always taken great comfort in the saying “they are not gone, just gone ahead”.
I know what a huge part of your life your dad was-I remember him as such a strong confident man that was so proud to have you as a daughter. My love and hugs to you ♥️
Julie,
Thank you so much. I remember when he visited me when I lived on Balboa Peninsula, and we had a party and you were there as well as Sue. He has always asked about you.
Nice idea for doing during this tough time. My secret is getting outside every single day, even if the weather isn’t great.
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