2021 Relaunch

The Hearts Awakening Vision

The transition from late adolescence to young adulthood, whether or not it involves attending a post-secondary institution, should be an exciting and fun time in a teen’s life. It can also be challenging and scary, and for too many of them, it can be debilitating.  

Between the developmental, academic, and social dynamics of adjusting to college, jobs, and stepping into running their own lives, many young adults are anxious and over-stressed. And right now, according to recent data from the CDC, this situation has gotten a lot worse. On August 14th, 2020, the CDC published some data showing that younger adults have experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes associated with COVID-19.

Young adults need self-mastery training that can help them feel more connected and supported so they can deal better with the dynamics of their school/career, personal and family lives.

That’s where Hearts Awakening comes in! We are readying an online version of the much loved “Living 101: Being Happy and Whole©” curriculum that was successfully piloted at the University of California, Irvine, so young adults can access it from wherever they are. We’re teaching practical, actionable skills to help them master “adulting” with more courage, confidence, inner peace and success.

Here’s what a few of the more than 400 students who’ve taken Living 101 had to share about its impact on their lives:

“Without a doubt, this class has completely changed my life. This class taught me the fundamentals of not only being happier but how to manifest my deepest desires. This class teaches how to let go of limiting beliefs we may have about ourselves, such as feeling like we are not good enough, loved enough. It teaches how to befriend fear and embrace the uncertainty of life. It teaches how to slow down and be more mindful and many, many more essentials to living a happy and fulfilled life.” ~ M. Delgado

“Even though we didn't talk much personally, you forced me take a good hard look at myself and really think about how certain mindsets and actions were holding me down. With your encouragement, I’m finally feeling like I'm taking active steps to be the best version of myself, something I haven't felt in a long time.” ~ D. Mak

“(Living 101) worked for me much better than the therapy I've had in the past. Living 101 helped me forgive myself and release old wounds, guilt and shame. Now I know that what matters the most is that I love myself exactly as I am even with some imperfections. I'm so glad I followed my heart and dropped another class to take Living 101. What I gained from this class is far more important to my life compared to what I would have learned in that class.” ~ C. Ko

"Living 101 was an absolutely amazing class! The skills I have learned in this class are ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and consistently try to put into practice. I can honestly say that I have been happier and less anxious since taking Living 101 and I truly believe that it should be a university requirement to take Professor Sheppard’s motivating and inspirational class of life skills." ~ A. Tarwater

“Living 101 and Professor Sheppard helped me take a step back from my busy schedule to identify and delve into habits that were causing me unhealthy stress and unhappiness. After looking into these issues through readings and class reflections, the class helped me set up a concrete plan to address what was making me unhappy. These improvements not only helped me personally, but I saw better performance in my life academically and careerwise too.” ~ R. Leung

Each young adult who participates in the Living 101: Being Happy and Whole© online pilot will receive: 

• Online access to all modules to complete the 12-week course
• Hard copy of The Energy of  Life© the text for the course
• Special invitations to private, virtual gatherings with fellow students and the course instructor, Hearts Awakening Executive Director, Valerie René Sheppard

Won’t you feel wonderfully generous and supportive to make a contribution now to the Hearts Awakening #GivingTuesday campaign?!  Every single dollar you can give will help make life more stress-free, positive and successful for our participants. You’ll help us teach them to:

• Know, Accept and Love Themselves
• Connect to and Work with Others
• Discover their Purpose and Live Intentionally

It’s never too early to learn these valuable self-mastery skills.
Be the gift in a young adult’s life today.