International Day Of Happiness: Celebrate #internationaldayofhappiness

“I wish everyone around the world a very happy International Day of Happiness! The pursuit of happiness is serious business. Happiness for the entire human family is one of the main goals of the United Nations. Peace, prosperity, lives of dignity for all — this is what we seek.” UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

International Day Of Happiness: Celebrate #internationaldayofhappiness

United Nations: International Day of Happiness 2016 – Angry Birds for a Happy Planet

What is the International Day of Happiness? It’s a day to be happy, of course! Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. The UN just launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.
The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to celebrate the International Day of Happiness each year on March 20. This year, even cartoon characters have joined in as the United Nations teams up with a group famous for lacking good cheer: the Angry Birds UN Happiness Day

How Did This Day Come About? Today is the 4th celebration of International Happiness Day and the First day of Spring! If you’ve been wondering what to do on this Palm Sunday, I’ll say cheer up, look around you and find one thing to make you smile.  Happiness is a choice and, while there is much grief and suffering on our planet, we can all make some effort to spread love, joy and acts of kindness to our fellow men/women; we have plenty to be happy about. How did IHD start?  In 2011, Jayme Illien of Illien Global Public Benefit Corporation approached the United Nations Organization with a proposal to have March 20 designated as International Happiness Day. It was a project close to Jayme’s heart and the UN was delighted to jump aboard. With the support of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon and all the 193 member states,  on June 28, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly  unanimously adopted UN resolution 66/281  which agreed, in part, that “the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal…”   You can join in today by taking the pledge and dowload a free happiness guide to shift your mood and thoughts : – “I will try to create more happiness in the world around me” (The Action for Happiness pledge)

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Aristotle

International Day Of Happiness: Celebrate #internationaldayofhappiness

International Day Of Happiness: Celebrate #internationaldayofhappiness

Pharrell Williams – International Day of Happiness

Without this, we operate with only a tiny fraction of the information we need and this leads to the impression that we must choose between promoting economic growth, protecting the environment or developing human happiness and well-being. Such an impression would be shown as a false choice if environmental sustainability and social well-being were appropriately included in our measures of economic success. His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

Why Take part in International Day of Happiness 2016?  According to the WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2015, research in the neuroscience of happiness suggests that if we want to maintain our overall well-being and neural bases, we need four key supports; 1. sustained positive emotions. 2. recovery from negative emotions. 3. empathy, altruism, and pro-social behavior, and 4. a good dose of mind-wandering, mindfulness and emotion captured attention. So consider that taking action on this day fits in well with things we can do to affect our mind and mood in a positive way. If you were fortunate enough to live in the top 10 ranked nations in 2012-14 for happiness 1. Switzerland. 2. Iceland 3. Denmark 4. Norway 5. Canada 6. Finland 7. Netherlands 8. Sweden 9. New Zealand and 10. Australia, you’d already be ahead of the game. The USA ranked #15 and the UK #21. What the top 10 countries have in common is that they take care of their own and provide for the downtrodden. We can all do our part by helping each other and learning from the 10 tips offered in this free Happiness Guidebook download packed full of terrific ideas and ways we can all live happier lives. The 10 tips are shared below

More Below!

“At this time of grave injustices, devastating wars, mass displacement, grinding poverty and other man-made causes of suffering, the International Day of Happiness is a global chance to assert that peace, well-being and joy deserve primacy.” UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

International Day Of Happiness: Celebrate #internationaldayofhappiness

United Nations: The stars of The Angry Birds Movie join UN Secretary-General

Founded on the belief that happiness can be achieved by balancing the needs of the body with those of the mind within a peaceful and secure environment, it requires that the purpose of development must be to create enabling conditions through public policy for the pursuit of the ultimate goal of happiness by all citizens. In short, GNH is a sustainability based, well-being centric, inclusive economic model. Former Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Thinley

What are the 10 Steps/Tips to a Happier Life? According to Action For Happiness, there are 10 keys to living our dreams and a happier life: 1. Giving – Do for others. 2. Relating – Connect w/ people. 3. Exercising – Take care of your body. 4. Awareness – Live life mindfully 5. Trying Out – Keep Learning anew 6. Direction – Have goals. 7. Risilience – Find ways to bounce back. 8. Emotions – Look for good. 9. Acceptance – Be comfortable with YOU.  AND  10. Meaning – Be part of something bigger… and go for it.  Our actions and participation are important aspects of the work needed to create more Happiness in our lives. there will be people who might try to derail us but stay true to your joy and know that sooner or later, those people will fade out of your life… Good begets good.  All we do in life, every action, thought, word, and belief we hold is part of an effort to connect with that joyful, happy place inside our being.  Go there and celebrate the life you do have!

Positive Motivation Tip:  Be happy for the breath you take and continue by taking the 10 steps to a happier life!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Official logo of the United Nations International Day of Happiness by Juniperusco via Happiness.org and/or Wikipedia and Happiness via Pixabay

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet