Spontaneous Happiness. It’s a concept that most entrepreneurs aim for daily, for that likely means that their business is swimming along, their employees are happy, their families are grinning, and life in general is dandy.

But how happy are you—really? Finding a way to increase your happiness quotient starts with understanding what Dr. Andrew Weil calls your emotional sea level. “This is not happiness, but rather contentment and the calm acceptance that is the goal of many kinds of spiritual practice,” explains the man who is considered the father of integrative medicine. “From this perspective, it is possible to accept life in its totality, both the good and bad, and know that everything is all right, just as it should be, including you and your place in the world.”

Scroll down for our Q&A with the good doctor, whose insights into achieving emotional well-being will inspire you and hopefully help make your holiday season that much more enjoyable!

And be sure to read our feature on his brand new book, “True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure.” With restauranteur Sam Fox and Chef Michael Stebner, this cookbook features 125 recipes from the trio’s hot restaurant, of which there are seven—in Arizona, Colorado, California, and Texas. Which recipes are Dr. Weil’s favorites? Click here for two of his tasty, good-for-you treats.

Also in the December 2013 edition of Be Inkandescent:

• An update on Truly Amazing Woman Dr. Esther Sternberg. Our Entrepreneur of the Month in the June 2012 issue of BeInkandescent.com, she shared insights into the business of healing yourself. The popular author is now the director of research at Dr. Weil’s Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. How has her life changed since leaving Washington, DC, for Tuscon? And how is she working with the Pope?

• And because good health is on our minds, we think you’ll be interested in the innovative Wellness Workup—by MyHolisticDocs.com Drs. Kim and Scott Muzinski—offered at the Integrative Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Clinic in Arlington, VA. “A simple blood test can give you tremendous insight into the health of your body—and assist you in making smart food and exercise changes that can change your life,” says Dr. Kim.

• Want a little slice of heaven? You won’t want to miss Pie-ography, a recipe / biography book by “Where Women Cook” publisher Jo Packham. It includes 42 fabulous recipes inspired by 39 extraordinary cooks, including Doesn’t a Midsummer Night’s Dream Pie sound divine? by Michele Muska. Her pie landed on the cover of “Pie-ography.” Don’t miss our sweet and savory interview.

• With the goal of making your heart sing, you’ll also meet our irresistible, Emmy-award winning Journalist of the Month Jan Fox. You’ll learn how to be happier in the workplace courtesy of our HR and hiring expert Barbara Mitchell. And since money often comes up when we talk about being happy, Certified Financial Planner Howard Pressman explains The Four Most Dangerous Words.

As our holiday gift to you, we share one spectacular idea from “Spontaneous Happiness”: Make a list of the people in your life in whose company you feel more optimistic, more positive, more cheerful, and less anxious. Resolve to spend more time with them this holiday season—and throughout 2014. In fact, make a date with one of them this week!

Wishing you and yours joy, peace, and oodles of spontaneous happiness. — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent magazine. • founder, Inkandescent Public Relations