International Day of Happiness
- By Eugene Clark
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 20, 2015
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Friday, March 20, is the International Day of Happiness. It was introduced by the General Assembly of the United Nations during 2012 and was celebrated for the first time in 2013.
When thinking about all of the discussions and decisions taken at the recent Chinese legislative sessions, one quickly realizes that the ultimate goal uniting all the discussion is how best to create a society in which citizens are happy, fulfilled and able to pursue their dreams. While there are many reforms that must be made, it is also important to make the point that lasting happiness is more likely to come from strong family relationships, emotional well-being, good friends and healthy personal relationships rather than from money, consumer goods or achieving 15 minutes of fame.
The popular film and international bestselling book "Hector and the Search for Happiness" provided one checklist of happiness principles. Here is my personal list:
1. Happiness is a choice. We cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control our reaction to it. The choice to be happy must be renewed every day. Surveys done of the wisdom of the happy and successful elderly show that they have had to make a conscious choice to be happy.
2. People who are optimistic tend to be happier. Not surprisingly, one of Harvard's most popular classes (Positive Psychology) is about how to achieve happiness. The country of Nepal (Nepal www.happyplanetindex.org/countries/nepal/) even has a national happiness index. In fact, it is possible to "fake it until you make it." Laughter – even forced fake laughter – can bring health benefits and promote happiness. Laughter activates many beneficial chemicals within the body that place us into a joyous state. Laughter also returns the body to a state of balance. Revitalize the habit of laughter, it will put far more living into your life. It is also important to readily laugh at oneself and try not to take oneself too seriously.
3. Happiness flows from gratitude. Be grateful. As German philosopher and theologian Meister Eckhart wrote: "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough…" Keep a gratitude journal of all the things you have to be thankful for. Get in the habit of saying and sending "thank you's."
4. Happiness results from being yourself and not trying to be someone else or compare yourself to someone else. Self-knowledge, self-awareness, mindfulness and self-reflection are all ingredients to achieving such genuineness and consequent happiness.
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