Happiness is neither a frivolity nor a luxury. It is a deep-seated yearning shared by all members of the human family. It should be denied to no one and available to all. —Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General.
Today, the United Nations and its agencies are celebrating the International Day of Happiness. A few thoughts to reflect on?
- How do you or your culture define happiness? Have your private definitions changed as you’ve grown? Has the culture’s?
- When you look back at the happiness you’ve created or been graced with and enjoyed on your own or with others, what factors do you think made it happen?
- If you’ve ever tried to re-create a past moment of happiness, how did that turn out? What did you learn from the process?
- Can you think of any ways that your society promotes or undermines human happiness? How do you relate to these social mechanisms yourself?
- How do you feel happiness overlaps with or differs from other concepts like contentment, anxiety, joy, resilience, denial, foresight, sadness, health, well-being, and equanimity? Which of these similarities or contrasts mean most to you?
And because I couldn’t not post it: enjoy a listen to Bobby McFerrin’s happiness anthem from 1988, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” (Or read the lyrics instead.) I can see how some could interpret it as an ode to thoughtless irresponsibility, but I don’t think it has to. It never fails to make me smile.