Here’s a sentence that I never thought I’d say, “The most amusing thing on the news right now is Donald Trump’s Presidential campaign.”
This summer the global news headlines have been pretty bleak – Shark Attacks, Droughts and Floods, Random Shootings, Debt Crisis, Middle East Terrorist Violence, and Race Relations Challenges. The one bright spot for Americans was the US team winning the Women’s World Cup.
If I counted on the news to find a little happiness, aside from the occasional “cute kid and adorable pet” feel good segments, I’d be feeling a little blue. It’s not that the unhappiness we hear about in the news isn’t important or that we don’t need to know about it; it’s just that we may not need to hear about it non-stop like we do. Although we do need to be informed about our issues and challenges, it’s just that aside from volunteering, sending a note to our elected officials, or making a donation, in most cases there’s not a lot we can do to change the unhappy news. Eventually it can start to feel overwhelming.
Happiness Happens Month Is Important
It’s times like this that remind me why Happiness Happens Month is important. The month reminds us that happiness happens one small moment at a time and it’s our job to recognize those moments when they happen. It reminds us that sometimes a small action boosts our happiness. It reminds us that happiness is a personal experience and it’s also contagious!
Last year for Happiness Happens Month we added a 31 Day Challenge and this year the challenge is our daily happiness activity focus. The purpose of the 31 Day Challenge is to do one small thing a day that helps boost your happiness and then post selfies so you can share your happiness with others.
The challenges can be done with minimal planning, are free or inexpensive, and family – workplace friendly. The idea is to remind yourself that experiencing a moment of happiness is as easy as doing one small thing to make that happen. If you can’t do all of the challenges or need to modify them you can. For example, if you live where it’s winter, wearing your favorite sandals might not make your feet happy so you wear your favorite boots instead.
We’d LOVE To Have You Join Us For The Happiness Happens 31 Day Challenge
If you haven’t, please RSVP on our FB Event Page. We’ll also be posting the activities on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram so you can easily participate on your favorite social media platform(s). You can even get the daily activities sent directly to your email – be aware that you’ll be getting 31+ emails.
Also, if the company or organization you work for is doing the Happiness Happens Month 31 Day Challenge as a group and you want to be listed on our Participation Wall please email me ASAP. If you need a sneak peek you can contact me about that too.
We’re in the process of updating our “Smile Maker Wall” ~ a page on our website dedicated to recognizing the donors who make Happiness Happens Month possible ~ and there’s still time for you to be included!
While Happiness Happens Month won’t take away from the bad news cycle we’re in, it can certainly add a few more moments of happiness to your day and that just might make someone you know a little happier too. Happiness is contagious and right now we need more people catching the happy bug.
And don’t forget to invite your family, friends and co-workers to participate too.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.