HAPPINESS
On my soul journey I made new friends who live in the Cook Islands. As I spent time with them I became aware of a new level of happiness that was expressed and shared with simplicity and ease. These beautiful friends smiled with a joy both genuine and pure. Spending time with them made me happier and I brought it home.
This game is designed to help us humans rediscover love, happiness, and joy. Happiness is a superpower we all possess but often forget to use. In my family we had forgotten. The pandemic had aged us. We had forgotten who we were. And more importantly who we were to each other. I first created this game to bring happiness back into my own family. My travels had taught me that we were not alone. Many families and friends were separated physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Having seen what love and happiness could look like, it was time to do something. It was the inspiration and the need; that helped me create the game "Cowabunga".
Through three stages: self-love, restoring love and happiness with the past, generating and spreading love and happiness with others in the present the game unfolds. By playing this game, you will embark on a journey of transformation, building a foundation of love within yourself, sharing it with those closest to you, and ultimately spreading it to the world.
It is my hope that Cowabunga will be translated into every language and be played by all humans. People who will recreate the game in their own style and legacy. May all three parts be kept a live as we love each other and unleash the super power of happiness.
Game Logo
THE 3 Part Game
Part 1 SELF LOVE
Before you can share love, you must first nurture yourself. Each day, you will perform an act of self-love and reflect on how it makes you feel. Choose from the list below or create your own!
Daily Self Love Suggestions:
1. Start Your Day with Gratitude: Write down three things you appreciate about yourself.
2. Move Your Body: Dance, stretch, go for a walk—do something to make your body feel alive.
3. Nourish Yourself: Cook a meal with care, drink water, or enjoy a cup of tea mindfully.
4. Give Yourself a Compliment: Stand in front of the mirror and say something kind to yourself.
5. Unplug and Breathe: Spend 10 minutes in silence, breathing deeply and appreciating the moment.
6. Engage in a Hobby: Draw, play music, read—do something purely for your joy.
7. Write a Love Letter to Yourself: Reflect on your strengths, achievements, and qualities you cherish.
8. Rest Without Guilt: Take a nap, sleep in, or enjoy a slow morning without feeling bad about it.
9. Say No Without Explanation: Prioritize your needs and set boundaries with love.
10.Treat Yourself: Buy yourself flowers, take a bubble bath, or indulge in something special.
How to Play Part 1:
- Each day, pick one act of self-love and complete it.
- Write down how you feel before and after the activity.
- Share your experience with your family (if you feel comfortable) and encourage them to do the same.
- Continue for at least seven days before moving on to Part 2.
Cowabunga is about embracing love as a natural state of being. Once your own cup is full, you will be ready for the next step—sharing that love with others!
Part 2 RESTORING LOVE WITH THE PAST
Love and happiness flourish when we make peace with the past. This part of the game is about clearing space in your heart, rekindling old connections, and healing strained relationships. It consists of three sections:
1. Releasing with Love – Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You
Everything in life has a cycle. Just as trees shed their leaves, we, too, must release what no longer serves us. Letting go is an act of love—love for yourself and for what once was.
How to Play:
- Reflect on aspects of your life that bring stress, resentment, or negativity.
- Write a letter of release to an old habit, belief, or situation you are ready to let go of. You don’t need to send it—this is for you.
- Engage in a symbolic act of release: burn the letter safely, tear it up, or visualize it floating away.
- Notice how your heart feels after letting go.
Do not rush this step. The heart takes time to let go. Create your own rituals which feel right.
Lean into natures wisdom of the Luna cycle, tides, and pick the times that are most powerful to let go.
2. Restoring Love Where It Was Once Strong
Sometimes, love fades not because it’s gone, but because it’s been forgotten. This step is about rediscovering the joy of past connections by re-establishing communication and sharing experiences.
How to Play:
- Think of a friend or family member you’ve lost touch with but once shared joy with.
- Reach out with a message, call, or even a handwritten note.
- Plan a simple, fun activity together—something you both enjoy.
- Approach the reconnection with curiosity, not expectations. Let the experience unfold naturally.
3. Restoring Love Where Relationships Have Soured
Some relationships remain important to us even when love has been replaced by frustration. This step helps transform negativity into understanding and connection.
How to Play:
- Identify a relationship that is meaningful but has become strained.
- Reflect on the reasons for the tension—what part do you play? How can you show up differently?
- Practice active listening: reach out and have a conversation where your goal is to understand, not to win.
- Express appreciation for the person, even if you disagree.
- Find small ways to rebuild trust, such as simple acts of kindness or shared activities.
By working through Part 2, you clear emotional space and make room for even more love and happiness in your life. Once you’ve healed and restored your past, you’ll be ready to add the final stage - spreading love and joy to the world!
Part 3 GENERATING LOVE AND SPREADING HAPPINESS WITH OTHERS IN THE PRESENT
By this stage of the game, you are filled with self-love and have let go of the burdens of the past. Now, you are free to play with the openness, wonder, and joy of a child. This part is about fully immersing yourself in the present, creating moments of pure love and happiness with the people in your life.
The Power of Play and Presence
Happiness flourishes when we are engaged, present, and doing things we genuinely enjoy. Love and joy exist in the here and now, and the best way to nurture them is through shared experiences.
How to Play:
- Plan activities that bring joy: Go on a spontaneous adventure, have a family game night, cook a meal together, or dance in the living room.
- Engage with curiosity: Approach each experience with fresh eyes, as if you were discovering it for the first time.
- Be fully present: Put away distractions and immerse yourself in the moment.
- Express your love openly: Give compliments, hugs, and words of appreciation freely.
- Laugh together: Laughter is a powerful connector—watch a comedy, tell jokes, or play silly games.
- Create together: Paint, build, write, or craft something as a team.
- Practice mindfulness in relationships: Take time to listen deeply, notice small joys, and cherish shared moments.
When we fully engage in love and joy, the mind, body, and spirit are nurtured. Love is not just an emotion—it is an energy that uplifts, heals, and connects. The more we immerse in love and joy, the more it grows and spreads to those around us.
By playing Part 3, you make love and happiness an active, intentional part of your life. This final stage transforms everyday moments into celebrations of connection, reminding us that happiness is not something to chase—it is something to create and share, right here, right now.
The Magic of Immersion in Love and Joy
As you learn and play, you and your loved ones will realise that all three parts can be played and integrated into your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual diary. The happiness you generate is contagious and meant to be shared. Share this game script with your friends and family. Allow each person to create the game in their own style and do the things they love.
Cowabunga is a journey back to love and joy, a reminder that happiness is our natural state. By playing this game, you are reclaiming the superpower of happiness—not just for yourself, but for everyone around you. Let the love flow, and enjoy the adventure!
And why Cowabunga? Remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the passion with which they shouted this word? Cowabunga is an exclamation of excitement, enthusiasm, and fearlessness! It captures the essence of jumping fully into life, embracing joy, and celebrating love with a playful spirit. Say it loudly, say it with passion, and let it be a reminder to approach life with energy, wonder, and an open heart. Expressing Cowabunga on your own or with those you love is a powerful and playful way of capturing the spirit of this game—an invitation to uplevel love and happiness in the most fun way possible!
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