Share with us the last time you experienced unexpected happiness
… and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a Society T-shirt. Comments must be made by June 30.
Also, we’re getting ready for the 13th Annual Happiness Happens Month in August. Do you want to share some happiness? Your cheer will help make the world happier so please sign up to be a Happiness Happens Month Ambassador.
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.
Happiness is getting that unexpected giggle. The one that just plops right out of a cloud with lot of rainbows illuminating your day. WIth lots of “happy trees”. I think this came to me yesterday. I saw my mom for the first time in three years and as I hugged her it was sheer joy. I didn’t plan the visit, nor did she it was a simple, small bundle that had been so unappreciated for way too long. I smile at its energy everytime it crosses my mind.
The last time I recognized unexpected happiness was just the other night. I got the giggles with my boyfriend and we both ended up laughing so much we were coughing. I can’t really say what was so funny, but once I got the giggles I couldn’t stop. Since I had the giggles he got to laughing at me and so it seemed like it would never end. Finally I had to leave the room, but the fact that we shared such a laughing fit, makes us both smile days later. So get the giggles and be happy.
The last time I experienced unexpected happiness? Just a few minutes ago!
I was washing a dish when happiness attacked without warning. Totally blindsided me with a burst of insight:
“If I don’t allow myself to be happy about the good things in my life today, how can I expect to be happy tomorrow?”
Then a rush of good things came into my mind: my family is all safe (there was a flood in our area recently). None of our homes were damaged. Last night I discovered some notes I’d jotted down months ago and forgotten about; they were worth remembering. The sun is shining and the yard looks pretty. The skunk that visits every night keeps other animals out of the yard. And many, many more.
Life is good in a lot of ways. It’s important to know about the unpleasant things because we have to face them, but we can choose to enjoy what’s good without measuring it against anything.
I read one of those inspirational postings on Facebook….there are so many. But this one really struck me. It read: “Live your life and forget your age”. I’m a new retiree. Sounds old, doesn’t it? But I neither look it nor do I feel it. It made me realize I’ve been blessed in many ways and I WILL live my life and forget my age….going zip-lining in July!