GOOD FOR YOU Guest Experts

By Lee Kravitz

The greatest thing about writing an inspirational memoir is hearing back from readers who exemplify the book's core values. I am nominating Uma Girish, 46, a native of Chennai, India, to be the first reader in the My Unfinished Business Hall of Fame. Uma sent me a terrific story about how she learned the importance of being kind. But after you read this story, read on, for you'll meet a remarkable woman who is finding a new and larger purpose for her life during our challenging economic times:

By Jerry Posner

More and more, I’m reading articles and scientific studies linking “happiness” to “gratitude.”  This is pretty much a no-brainer: the more gratitude and thankfulness I feel, the happier I become.  The more appreciation I express to others, the more happiness I spread. I don’t think we need too much research here – seems like obvious common sense to me.

By Dr. Kevin Soden

Perhaps no one knows the importance of humor in the lives of Americans better than the editors of Reader’s Digest, the magazine read by 40 million in the U.S. alone. Reader’s Digest has been one of the most popular magazines in the country with people of all ages for over half a century and one of the key reasons for the magazine's success is its ability to help readers laugh at life. Sections like Humor in Uniform, Laughter is the Best Medicine and Life in These United States resonate with RD’s readers. Jackie Leo, the bright, thoughtful and energetic former editor of Reader’s explained to me why she thought humor was so important to her readers. “We all need humor to help reduce the stress in our lives. Our readers have told us over and over how important humor is in their lives and how these various sections of the magazine help them to identify with others in similar situations and how it helps them to cope with some of the crazy situations that life sends at them.”