International Day of Happiness – March 20th

Its March 20th – The International Day of Happiness!

I’m quite a happy person. One of the reasons for this is that being happier helps my mental state and really does cheer me up. Its not always easy but I do always try. The most important thing for me is to spread a little happiness and so finding out there is an International Day of Happiness is amazing!

Why is there an International Day of Happiness?

We can thank the United Nations for this. Back in June 2012 they agreed a resolution to make March 20th a day to observe happiness throughout each nation.

The General Assembly, … Conscious that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, … Recognizing also the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples, Decides to proclaim 20 March the International Day of Happiness, Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities …

United Nations General Assembly, Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 28 June 2012

Happiness being discussed by the United Nations? It must mean it is important. You can sure bet it is!

Happy

I found it was International Day of Happiness this morning when a friend messaged me on WhatsApp. Armed with this bit of information I knew what I could easily do. Today was going to be an off-site meeting with my team and it does always take a lot out of us. There is also no snack machines or shops nearby so I could pick up some biscuits for the team! Spread the happiness!

Spread The Happiness

Its not just on International Day of Happiness that you should spread the happiness. Think about things you can do in everyday life to share a bit of happiness with your family, friends of colleagues. Previously, in the office, I’ve orders something sweet for the team. The last couple of times it has been stroopwafels!

The price does fluctuate a little a bit but they work out around half the price of the Stroopwafel you get from Starbucks. If I’m lucky a box might last two days but I rarely get a box lasting 3 days! Its a nice treat for my team who always ask what I’m celebrating. I always tell them, “Just thought it would be a nice thing to do.”

So spread a little happiness whenever you can.

Biscuits

Its always a bout the biscuits with me. I popped to M&S at the station to grab some. Not very expensive (espeically for Marks & Spencer treats!) and who doesn’t love chocolate on biscuits?

As you can see we have worked our way through half a packed of each. Well maybe a few more have gone from the Jaffa Cakes, but no-one needs to count their biscuit consumption on the International Day of Happiness!

Luckily M&S sell both biscuits in a two-pack so after these are finished there are 2 completely new packs to consume. Plenty of tea will be drunk as well! What a truely excellent day!

Happy Tomorrow?

Its all well and good thinking about the happiness of other people today, but what will YOU do to ensure YOUR happiness  tomorrow? Tomorrow I will force myself to go for a walk outside at lunchtime. Too often I end up eating at my desk for lunch and I don’t see any natural sunlight! I will also drink more water. Between these two things I think I will help sure I have a happy tomorrow.

Happy Video

The easy thing to do would have been to link to Pharrell Williams however I wanted to treat you to something else. I really enjoy this guy and think the lyrics are perfect.

“We may not have everything
But then again who has?
Pain expands what joy can bring
And that can’t be too bad
If we’ve always got the two of us
We’ll never be too sad
If we consider all
that makes us glad.

Infact we could be…

Happy….”

Happy By Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer