In Forum’s winter 2025 issue, we profile happiness expert Arthur Brooks, who has written a popular magazine column and related books on how to be happy. In the story, Brooks discusses his “happiness heroes,” people he looks to as models for achieving happiness. If you haven’t read the story, you can check it out here.

Ralph Waldo Emerson counts as a happiness hero for Brooks, which raises a broader question about our own role models for happiness. For Forum editor Danny Heitman, one happiness hero is his friend Mary Stein, a career librarian. Heitman describes Stein as deeply other-directed and closely connected to the mission behind her work, a sense of purpose that appears to bring her fulfillment.

Who is your happiness hero, and what have you learned from that person about being happy? Share your thoughts with us and join the conversation.

Please note, our online community is available to active members only, and you will be required to log in with your Phi Kappa Phi credentials. For login assistance, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.

If you are a member but your active membership has expired, click here to renew and regain access to this exclusive benefit.