Author: Stephanie Hills

  • Car story 2

    Electric Car Owners Alert!  It was announced today that if you break down in an electric car, you can still use the AA. But if you break down in a small electric car, you have to use the AAA.

  • Car story 1

                  Fred was telling his friend how his uncle tried to make a new car for himself… “so he took wheels from a Cadillac, a radiator from a Ford, some tyres and fenders from a Plymouth…”               “Holy Cow,” interrupted his friend, “What did he end up with?”               Fred replied, “Two years.”              

  • Happiness at Your Workplace

    This half-day workshop gives an overview of happiness research and why happiness is important at work.  Practical exercises are used to infuse participants’ own work with meaning and fulfilment, and to generate ideas to lift workplace cheerfulness. Content can be tailored to your unique work situation. Contact steph@happynation.co.nz to find out more, or to order […]

  • That’s punny!

  • Kindness to animals

    The principle of kindness applies to animals, as well as humans. Recently Lynley* found a cat lying on her front deck. Somehow its front paw had got caught in its collar, so that it couldn’t walk. Although she was a stranger to the cat, Lynley approached it and unbuckled its collar to set its leg […]

  • Freedom and Rules

    Years ago, I worked in the adoption service, where it was my job to interview couples who wanted to adopt. As the government agency for child protection, it was our duty to ensure the child’s safety and to approve all suitable applicants without prejudice. (Very few were turned down.) The criteria were different for the […]

  • Enhance Your Team’s Harmony

    If you’re a leader in a non-profit organisation, you’re probably pleased with the dedication and professionalism shown by your workers. On the other hand, you sometimes find that staff seem disgruntled, or that not everyone is on your wavelength. Contact me for a unique service to improve harmony in your workplace. More than simply mediation […]

  • Newly invented proverbs

    “Don’t get mad, get angry.” ~ Edwina Currie “Never the bride, always the bridegroom.”  ~ Peter Jones “Two heads are better than none.” ~ Jean Green “The hand that turns the doorknob opens the door.”   ~ D H Anderson “A person with false teeth may still speak the truth.”   ~ V. Earnest Cox “It’s better […]

  • Leadership and Self-Deception. Getting Out of the Box

    Elske writes: The book that impacted my personal life the most was: Leadership and Self-Deception. Getting out of the box, by the Arbinger Institute.  It is a fictional story that illustrates wisdom and principles about our relationships and conflict. Funny enough I actually bought it for an employee – but got curious and read it myself. I never did pass […]

  • Book review competition

    Send in an original one-paragraph review of a book that has inspired you or helped you become happier.  Entries go in the draw to win a copy of Higher Purpose: How to find more inspiration, meaning and purpose in your life by Robert Holden. The winning review will be featured in a Happy Nation newsletter. […]