Publisher's Note - April 2017

This is the fifth year Joni and I attended the Interactive (i.e., technology) conference at SXSW in Austin, and I noticed some interesting shifts this year. First, people just seemed more laid back. They seemed more interested in listening to what speakers and panelists had to say, instead of working furiously on their laptops to immediately blog or post about it. Second, there appeared to be more sessions on topics that have nothing to do with technology and a more to do with happiness, both personally and professionally. I attended non-technology sessions with topics such as employee engagement, emotional leadership, psychology in the human workplace, the power of purpose in business and life, and even how entrepreneurs can overcome depression. Technology has improved our lives in many ways but has it made us happier? The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. This month’s issue is about simple outdoor pleasures – neighborhood parks, baseball and dining outside – and Buzz families who make the most of them. Happy springtime. [email protected]