On a steamy jungle island in the middle of the South China Sea, the most popular television show is about to come to its shocking conclusion. A small television stage lit by tiki torches illuminates a show host, a jury of seven contestants sitting on tree stumps, and the final two runners-up for a million dollars. It was season one of CBS’ competition show, Survivor, one of the longest-running unscripted series. Maria Baltazzi was one of the original supervising producers.
    Those Survivor contestants were stripped of everything except their wits and each other to survive on a beach while trying to win a life-changing cash prize. Only then could they witness their true selves and the potential of others—good or bad—something that always stuck with Maria. So, taking a page from that experience, Maria realized she could only see her true self if she took the time to strip off the negativity, pay closer attention to her actions, and ask some tough questions about what she wanted. This book is Maria’s insights about being happy learned from her time in the entertainment industry, observing people and events, traveling, and studying wellbeing. Within these pages is a practical guide for a creative path to happiness through taking photographs with your camera phone, journaling about things that matter, and being part of a supportive community.
    You can create a healthier state of being and have fun doing it. Even when your world turns upside down, you can still be the writer, director, and producer of the life you want.