"Gather for a dinner party and bring one musical and one poetic contribution for a merry evening. Yo-Yo Ma hosts the gathering with a talented guest list of musicians invited to join him in playing Songs of Joy and Peace. His group project stems from his belief that the comfort of peace is a precondition for joy. Five variations of 'Dona Nobis Pacem' ('Give Us Peace') soothe in complementary ways: Ma on cello; Edgar Meyer on bass and Chris Thiele on mandolin; Assads Sergio and Odair on guitar; Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet and Alon Yavnai on piano; and Chris Botti on trumpet. Gladly accept Diana Krall's many compliments because 'You Couldn't Be Cuter' or smarter or nicer or smoother. . . . My musical tonic is an irresistible New Orleans brew heated up by Dr. John: 'Let's Make a Better World' and 'put some love in the air,' oh! sing and 'dance, dance, dance.' Serve poetry for dessert, each person reciting one poem that speaks of joy. Go around the room; soak in the feeling. Wislawa Szymborska slides 'A Note' from Poland in your pocket, reveling among many joys that 'life is the only way . . . to follow a spark on the wind with your eyes.'

• "Make a list of things for which you are grateful. Look at it regularly. Add to it.

• "Share thoughts gleaned from your reflections on joy with someone who can benefit.

• "Notice the times that you clamp down on your laughter. Bust out.

• "Set aside certain times each day for counting breaths. Count on these times.

• "Choose the musical instrument that most directly conveys joy to you. Enjoy it in a variety of musical genres. Listen for this sound in nature. Listen.

• "What place makes your heart sing? Go. Spend some time there physically, mentally, and/or emotionally.

• "Paint joy.

• "Reflect on the state of mindfulness. What happens? Sketch the feeling.

• "Make one cost-free donation to a cause . . .

• "Host a . . . welcome for a new arrival to this country.

• "Spend one day in joyful step . . . Breathe, count, open 'big mind,' say thank you, laugh. Easy.

• "Read German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's hymn of joy and respond to these soaring passages from 'The Drunken Song': 'Was that life? . . . Well then! Once more! Would you live your life again? 'For joy, even if woe is deep, joy is deeper yet than agony.' Does joy touch you more intimately than pain? 'Joy wants the eternity of all things, wants deep, wants deep eternity.' Why might Nietzsche suggest that joy wants to live forever? What about joy?"