Courageous Leaders in Joyful Packages

Who is your moral or spiritual hero?

How often do you get invited to their birthday celebration?

Today is the 90th birthday of my moral and spiritual hero, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

It just so happens that THE ENTIRE WORLD was invited to his birthday celebration that was staged on YouTube today.

There were beautiful tributes from folks from around the world. There was, of course, dancing and singing.

Part of the celebration involved a screening of Mission: Joy - Finding Happiness in Uncertain Times. It's inspired by The Book of Joy, co-authored by Doug Abrams.

A few minutes into the film, Tutu is sitting with the Dalai Lama as his Holiness shares how he was forced to flee Tibet disguised as a soldier and to live in exile in India. Tutu reflects back to the Dalai Lama the courage and magnanimity he displayed (he was in his early 20s when he fled!). He points out that while the Dalai Lama had every right to be a “sour puss” given his life’s experiences, he wasn’t. “Instead of saying How can I be happy? Tutu elaborates, “You’ve said How can I help spread compassion and love?”

How can I help spread compassion and love?

To do right by The Arch on his special day – to help spread the compassion and love that he exemplifies and talks about in a way that only he can – the best thing I can think to do is to invite you to visit the website Mission; Joy to learn about the film and the mission of The Arch and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to bring joy to a troubled world.

It is a beautiful website packed with information on the science of joy, ideas on how to spread it, opportunities to receive a little joy in your inbox, and information for finding or hosting a movie screening. You can even sign up for a citizen's project on joy!

Happy 90th birthday to Archbishop Tutu!

In love and gratitude for courageous leadership in joyful 90-year-old packages,

Molly