Kale Yeah! Clarion Turns Over a New Leaf!

Below is a note about the 'Pennz Happiness Zone' idea we have that we’ve been sharing.

Trust this message finds you in good health and high spirits. We are reaching out to you with immense enthusiasm to introduce a transformative initiative that has the potential to turn our community into a thriving hub of health and happiness. Inspired by the Blue Zones concept, Brian Johnson's insights in "Areté," and fueled by our collective well-being, I am thrilled to unveil the idea of creating a 'Pennz Happiness Zone' in our neighborhood.

Imagine a community where we come together to practice healthy habits, support one another, and thrive in every aspect of our lives. The 'Happiness Zone' movement aims to do just that, and I believe your participation can make a significant impact.

Join the 'Happiness Zone' movement today by expressing your interest in our collective pursuit of well-being!

My wife, Sunshine aka Kathleen Ellwood, recently dove into the Blue Zones concept as she pursues her nutrition coaching certification. The idea struck a chord with me, and upon discovering that Corry, PA, has successfully implemented a Blue Zones Project, I became even more motivated. The Independence/Butler/ Clarion Hospital has several events from their lifestyle coaching outreach to promote healthy living. We call the project Happiness Zone, based on PAs new marketing – Pursue Your Happiness. Residents at the local hospital are showing interest, and I can't help but envision the positive change we could bring to Clarion.

To kick-start this movement, we've outlined a basic plan that begins with 'Thrive Thursday'—a day dedicated to communal exercise, plant-forward meals at local restaurants, and discussions about healthy community-building ideas. Starting small, we can expand to more days and diverse activities like cooking classes, healthy shopping assistance, and more, based on the principles of happiness from Areté, SPIRE, PERMA, and the Blue Zones' Power 9.

Be a part of our inaugural Thrive Thursday! Let's create a healthier community together—respond to this email to express your interest.

The statistics about our county's health concerns, especially the rates of heart disease and diabetes, only deepen my commitment to this cause. A CDC study highlights the impact of diseases of despair in the Appalachian Region, and it's clear that a proactive approach to well-being is needed.

Thomas Jefferson wisely stated, the pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right. However, it is not about chasing after it; it's about practicing it regularly, making it a habit. Our 'Pennz Happiness Zone' movement aligns with this philosophy, promoting a regular cadence of practicing those habits of well-being that we know lead to happiness. We will share ideas that help our community flourish through developing resilience, positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement.

Let's meet and discuss how your involvement can contribute to the success of the 'Happiness Zone' movement. Your insights and expertise are invaluable in shaping a healthier future for us all.

I look forward to hearing from you and working together to turn surrounding communities into a 'Pennz HappinessZone'—beautiful places where health and happiness flourish.

Make it a meaningful moment,

Joseph

Want a little more background?

Resources

• https://info.bluezonesproject.com/home

• View BHS Clarion Hospital's full 2021 report with implementation plans here

• Blue Zones, The Power Nine:  1. Move Naturally · 2. Purpose · 3. Downshift (routines to shed stress) · 4. 80% Rule (stop eating before full) 5. Plant Slant 6. Wine @ 5   7. Belong.  8. Loved Ones First   9. Right Tribe (close friends)

• Two models for happiness (SPIRE and PERMA) 

• https://nature120.app/ An app created by my friends that is designed to encourage getting outdoors for health reasons.

• The Heroic platform can help us achieve this. It is a self-development app designed to help us create a good life intentionally. And, if you're a brand new member of Heroic, claim your free year here.