Each issue of KidSpirit revolves around a Big Question posed by the Editorial Board. This summer, the editors ask, “Does happiness have a different meaning to each of us?” In her eloquent response to this question, a teen author delves into one revelatory experience to illustrate that the nature of happiness is far more complex than we may realize.

Other articles published include a high school senior’s compelling defense of the effective altruism movement, a reflection on a chance encounter with a man who, despite hardship, creates a joyful life, a review of Gretchen Rubin’s popular book, The Happiness Project, and an inspirational account of why one teen finds happiness in giving rather than receiving. In the Poetry section, a young poet shares her beautiful journey of realization, sparked by asking one seemingly simple question.

Over the summer months, KidSpirit will publish more thought-provoking content about this nuanced theme. One article will investigate how our environment and social structures impact our happiness, and another will explore the benefits of mindfulness meditation.

The issue will also feature essays by two renowned Buddhist teachers in the PerSpectives department, the only section of the magazine reserved for an adult writer with expertise in the theme. Sylvia Boorstein, author of Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life, and Dr. Matthieu Ricard, a molecular biologist turned Buddhist monk who has been described by scientists as "the happiest man alive," will both share valuable insights on cultivating well-being.

KidSpirit is a unique forum for young people to explore life’s big questions in an open spirit. This issue highlights the value of youth voices around the world. For interviews and further information, please contact Jessie Post at the information above.