Making the decision to be happy

Deciding to be happy, pursuing my passions, and volunteering my way toward a better world

Now

Happiness Plunge Twitter Happiness Plunge Facebook Happiness Plunge Youtube Channel

An Indian Wedding – Need I Say More?

Celebrating Diwali In India With Food, Fireworks, And Family

A Day With My Hero – Mahatma Gandhi

My 500th Post On My 500th Day As A Happy & Homeless Nomad

Hey Mom, Surprise, I’m Home For Christmas!

Buddha’s Beautiful Birthplace

Visiting Kids With Cancer In The Hospital

Meditating With Pythons – This Time I Was Scared!

An Amazing Week At A Rural Thai Buddhist Temple

A Magical Week In The Laotian Countryside – Ending With A Village Ceremony And Tears

Are Cambodians The Happiest People On Earth?

30 Things I’ve Learned About Life As I Turn 30

The Best Of Latin America – Best Photographs

A Weekend With The Tsachilas – Indigenous, Spiritual, And Fellow Nomads

An amazing weekend with the Tsachila indigenous people of Santo Domingo, Ecuador

Together, Let’s Help Kids With Cancer!

Help me raise money for kids with cancer while I grow out a future wig to help a child with cancer live a more normal life.

Celebrating The New Year In Venezuela – Impromptu Trip To The Most Beautiful Beach I’ve Ever Seen

The pictures speak for themselves, and yet could never really show how beautiful this place was!

Building A Website & Installing A Solar Panel System – An Awesome Volunteering Experience In Honduras!

One of the best and most rewarding volunteering experiences yet!

Photo Friday – Beautiful Parking Lot – Inle Lake, Myanmar

February 15, 2013

Read the full story →

Another Happily Single Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2013

Last year I was happily single on Valentine’s day. This year, I’m happy to report, I am still single. India has taught me a lot about social pressure, and I’m not sure there is any greater social pressure in Indian society than to get married. Married people seem to be perceived as more grounded and [...]

Read the full story →

A Chance Encounter With Awesomeness At A Random Restaurant In Delhi

February 11, 2013

I’m not sure what you have in mind when you think of India, but the three biggest thoughts in my mind before coming here were poverty, overpopulation, and spirituality. This story covers two of those thoughts. I went across the street from where I’m staying to a restaurant specializing in South Indian food. South Indian [...]

Read the full story →

A Short Guide To Independent Travel In Myanmar

February 9, 2013

Myanmar is rapidly changing and much of the information I read before coming was either outdated or wrong. I was in Myanmar from Jan 22 – Feb 1 in 2013 and although this article comes way before the rest of my Myanmar articles, time is of the essence for travelers on the road looking for [...]

Read the full story →

Photo Friday – Balloons And Pagodas – Bagan, Myanmar

February 8, 2013

Read the full story →

A Day With My Hero – Mahatma Gandhi

February 6, 2013

As the U.S. voted on November 6th, 2012 I spent the day with a man of unimaginable courage and determination: Mahatma Gandhi. I have long admired Gandhi for his non-violent struggle for an independent India. Part of being in India for me is connecting with Gandhi, trying to understand the man while trying to absorb [...]

Read the full story →

The Knowledge Conundrum: Increased Awareness = Increased Ignorance

February 4, 2013

Before this trip, I thought I had it all figured out. Ok, maybe I didn’t have it all figured out, but most of it. I knew poor people are happier than rich people. I knew people who were connected with nature are happier than those who are not. I knew I’d be happier on the [...]

Read the full story →

Nicholas Winton: The Humble Hero With 6,000 Kids

February 2, 2013

I watched the documentary Nicky’s Family last night and I’m still having a hard time processing what I saw. To summarize, Nicholas Winton was a successful stock broker who planned to take a vacation to the Swiss Alps with a friend in 1938. The friend decided to go to Prague instead. The British and the [...]

Read the full story →