The Happiness Passport

"...What is particularly striking is how many words and expressions we have around the world for yearning and longing....These include the Welsh hireath--a nostalgic ache for an ideal home, perhaps one we have never really known--and the very similar saudade in Portuguese, loosely meaning the desire for something that does not exist." ~ Megan C Hayes, PhD, The Happiness Passport

The Happiness Passport introduces 50 words that define an aspect of happiness, contentment and well-being from cultures all over the world. Author Megan C Hayes PhD does a great job of explaining how each term promotes a sense of well being, even when the terms are foreign to an American cultural view. Some of my favorites were Arejdsglaede which is the Danish idea of enjoyment of one’s work, Yugen, the Japanese value for the mysterious beauty of the universe, and Turandawaewae, The Maori sense of power and security we feel at home. Illustrations by Yelena Bryksenkova.

This is a great read for those who enjoyed The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell, and The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, and want to learn more about worldwide concepts of happiness and well-being.

Hardcover 144 pages (No audiobook available)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 on GoodReads (Check out our RipeReads Group!)