The Pursuit of Happiness – Act on it!
March 19, 2014
Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our everyday life, we forget that happiness is something to pursue with conscious gusto!
Long before the United States’ Declaration of Independence said “the pursuit of happiness” is an “unalienable right” of all people, ensuring happiness for its people has been the goal of every honorable government. The Kingdom of Bhutan, known for adopting Gross National Happiness as a measurement of its people’s prosperity, started the U.N. initiative for a day devoted to happiness. Then, in June 2012, the General Assembly declared March 20 to be International Day of Happiness. That means in our lifetime, we recognize the importance that no matter under what geographic, nationality or cultural condition your life is lived, you are free to celebrate
The U.N. General Assembly Resolution 66/281 states in pertinent part:
Conscious that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, Recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives…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.
Create Your Act of Happiness
We can each celebrate this day, and every day, by expressing how we share happiness in our circles of relationships. We can make the world a happier place! It starts with us and ripples into the lives of others in a wave of positive change around the world.
Here’s an additional incentive for each of you – take a minute to post an Act of Happiness online to Acts of Happiness before March 21st. There’s a good cause that will benefit: $1 will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, up to $25,000. Now that will bring some happy smiles!