Jake Pearson  00:00

Are you trying to figure out the secret to happiness? We're here at what makes you happy with Jake Are you trying to figure out the secret to happiness? We're here at What Makes You Happy with Jake Pearson. We want to make that happiness more accessible for you in your life. So stick around as we interview everyday people, inspirational leaders and your favorite celebrities on what makes them happy.

Disclaimer! This podcast discusses mental health. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you're struggling with your mental health, please remember it's okay to ask for help and seek the appropriate help through a qualified health care professional. 

Welcome back to the podcast where we ask you what makes you happy.

My name is Jake Pearson. And today we have with us an Austrian Californian art scientist who is an advocate for helping people understand neurodiversity like his dyslexia, and dysgraphia. We have Michaell Magrutsche from Laguna Beach, Southern California, United States. Michael, how are you?

Michaell Magrutsche  01:00

Hey, Jack. I'm glad to be here. Because I like- the title of your show is, I think, what's important in happiness, this is what triggers right away is except that you can be unhappy. And I think when you can accept that, if you're done, you're not happy. It opens the door open to happiness. And I think that's a major thing because I couldn't fit in systems. 

Jake, I was a sick child. And then I was in school, I couldn't understand. I couldn't read. I couldn't understand. In my hand- brain coordination is off that's dysgraphia. And still, I'm an artist. Still, I wrote five books. I'm so totally self taught. So my weakness becomes my superpower. I see context, because this lecture makes you see context, the big picture. And I've learned that recent- that art really taught me everything. And it made me happy because it brings me into the moment.

Jake Pearson  02:16

Thank you for sharing that. So let's go back and write to the sort of the start. Tell me Michaell, what does make you happy besides art.

Michaell Magrutsche  02:26

When I grew up, the only thing was what made me feel like I'm a human, I belong because we have that DNA drive to be a part of the group, the herd [phonetic 02:36]. And I couldn't fill it in. But I found out that art was always the things that made me happy. 

The second thing that made me happy, obviously, when I was in my other lesson was grills [phonetic 02:47] and motorcycles, you know, so because, you know, they were creative. And I believe and I've learned to my diversity, to my dyslexia does [phonetic 03:01] not mean not fitting into the system, that it's inclusive of humans, humans inclusion, which art represents, you know, the art community represents because in the art community you're not the boss, you're the lead in a play, but still, it's depend on all the outlets that help and be included. So when you want to experience happiness and power, the inclusion and the- You know, be with other humans, and don't see yourself in system definition of better, worse, good or bad, just see yourself as you have to contribute a part of humanity. And they contribute that part of humanity and I think, that is the essence of happiness, because unhappiness is the dissonance between static systems and humans that need sleep, that need to relax, that have seasons, right? Nature has seasons, we are part of nature. And I think that is the major driver of happiness is just being, it's in our word, human being, being the human that we are a part of nature.

Jake Pearson  04:22

I completely agree, just being, and it's sometimes hard to be present. So Michaell, what would you say to our listeners who are listening to this right now thinking? What can Michaell share with me to help me feel happier? What would your advice be? What would be that advice?

Michaell Magrutsche  04:40

Creating, you know, if you work in the garden, if you do some do-it-yourself project. If you create some art, and don't worry about the product that comes out because see when you pull yourself out of the moment, just be present and milk the moment like we- Right now, I mean, you guys can really see that you and I have focused on each other, we're not thinking, oh my god, I have to pay bills. Oh, I have to call my girlfriend, oh I have to do this, we are right here. And this is what makes us happy. It forces us to be happy because we think about problems [phonetic 05:16]. And that being in the moment is the absolute thing, being a human being. I think, it's essential to be happy. Look at dogs. They're always happy. They're always running because they're always in the moment.

Jake Pearson  05:30

Beautifully said, Michaell, thank you so much for sharing all things that make you happy. We do really appreciate your time today. 

Thanks for listening to the podcast. We hope it gives you something to think about on your quest to discover what makes you happy. Make sure to check out whatmakesyouhavethepodcast.com to connect with today's guest and follow us on all our social media platforms. And to stay up to date on what's happening next and what makes you happy. Don't forget to share this episode with a friend and we'll see you next time!