Is happiness at work possible? I'm going to find out

As my re-wirement challenge for my 10th week in Coursera's "The Science of Well-Being," I picked social connection. This means talking to strangers.

I live in NYC. Talking to folks on the subway might not always be safe. And I'm smiley, so ... maybe I shouldn't be so open to engagement.

But this week during my commute, I saw a runner taking pictures at the 59th Street subway platform. I assumed she was taking selfies and offered to take some pics for her.

"Oh, no. I don't really like selfies," she said. "I just like the way '59' looks in the tile."

We had a really wonderful, genuine conversation about design that filled me with good feelings from toe to head. And after the isolation of the pandemic, I'm a perfect receptacle.

Look here with me at this public transit work of art. I think the "59" does look pretty great here, doesn't it? Framed like that by two mini and lower "59s."

I was in the wellness field, specializing in fitness for older adults. Now after this “happiness” class, Yale University's most popular course, I wonder if "happiness" might be a more accessible word than "wellness."

Frankly, I don't think too many employers care about WELLNESS. Thomas Jefferson didn't write about the pursuit of wellness, a really nebulous word, that can mean anything from chronic disease management to six-pack abs.

"Happiness" also supports more meaning to, from, and at work -- where we spend so much of our time.