Photo: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic

For so many of us, teenage happiness was being in a car crowded with friends (all wearing seat belts, naturally), Beastie Boys blasting on the CD player (CDs!). Going nowhere, having nothing to do, making our own chaotic fun at the beach or the all-night-diner or in someone's basement, listening to raucous music and imagining all the amazing things we were about to start creating. I know I'm not alone in feeling terribly sad (and old) at the news of the death of Adam Yauch, one of the founding members of the Beastie Boys and creator of The Milarepa Fund, which helped to promote awareness of the situation in Tibet. Yauch's work for Tibet was admirable, but/and, his music was what viscerally contributed to the happiness of so many, in an infectious, turning-a-bad-day-good kind of way.

Just about a month before his death, Yauch spoke with Project Happiness about the true meaning of -- and way to find -- happiness. He explained how his work for the people of Tibet had contributed to his own sense of happiness and peace: "I guess one way to look at it is that if one wants to create more happiness in their life in the future, then working towards doing more altruistic things or things to benefit other people, that’s the way to get there."

The interviewer asked him what everyday, non-celebs can do to make the world a better place. I love Yauch's response: "Everything we do affects other people... Every way that we interact with other people, even if it’s like, you’re at the store and buying something, and it’s the way that you interact with the clerk at the store. EVERY action that we take has some motivation of either being selfish or altruistic. All that adds up."

To Yauch happiness was looking outward, whether that translated into making music that meant something to people or getting involved in a large-scale human rights campaign. And looking outward, as he put it, can be a part of every day, every interaction. You don't have to make a number one hit, but you can make music to entertain your friends or family or self. You don't have to save all of Tibet, but you can be polite to the clerk at the store. According to Yauch in this interview, everyday kindness was the way to long-term happiness. And if you're looking for short-term happiness, a shot of pure silly joy in the moment, you might just have to listen to some Beastie Boys.

Read the entire interview, and learn more about Project Happiness, here.

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