Wow. Last week was not the week to be so sick that you stayed in and watched a lot of news, but that was my week. After 10 days of feeling so bad that I got virtually nothing done, the good news is I’m feeling better.
Happy People Don’t Hate Other People
I think it goes without saying that, in my humble opinion, happy people don’t hate other people. You can’t be filled with happiness and hate at the same moment. They don’t coexist with each other. Happy people are filled with hope, peace and love – happiness despite hate. That doesn’t mean that happy people are pushovers or oblivious to unhappy realities. It just means that their solution to a challenge isn’t to hate other people, even when they disagree.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Hatred is wasted energy. ~ Alfred Hitchcock [/perfectpullquote]
Last week’s events that started in Charlottesville, and ended the following Saturday, with 40,000+ people marching in Boston and other cities, remind people that the majority of Americans do not agree with the hate groups that are resurrecting their hateful heads. Now is the time to show up and speak up if you feel inspired to do so. The voices of mostly happy people need to be louder than those of hateful people. Happiness despite hate must prevail.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Raise your words, but not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. ~ Rumi [/perfectpullquote]
Happiness Despite Hate
But despite the tragic events in Charlottesville and the difficult but necessary conversations happening across the country, there are many happy things happening while you read this.
Happy moments are taking place every minute of every day. Notice them. Happy moments unite humanity regardless of race and most beliefs because #HappinessUnites. Happiness is a light in the dark. Happiness is humanity’s light when the world goes dark. Happiness despite hate.
[Tweet “Happiness is humanity’s light when the world goes dark – Pamela Gail Johnson #HappinessUnites”]
#HappinessUnites Moment by Moment
Here are a few of the moments that united people with smiles last week and even now:
- Someone sent their kids to school
- Someone fell in love
- Someone watched a funny movie
- Someone got a new job
- Someone enjoyed swimming
- Someone welcomed a new baby
- Someone went on vacation
- Someone found a new fave recipe
- Someone spoke to a friend they hadn’t talked to in months
- Someone happily lost 5 pounds
- Someone laughed almost too hard with a friend
- Someone celebrated their birthday
- Someone caught “the fish” of the season
- Someone got a new haircut that looks fabulous
- Someone discovered a new relative
- Someone was told they are cancer-free
- Someone celebrated being a fan of Los Angeles Dodgers or Houston Astro’s—the two best teams in baseball
- Someone played their best golf game
- Someone went dancing
- Someone was kissed by their puppy
I could go on, but you get the idea. Little happy moments happen every day that need to be embraced even when we find ourselves moved by the emotions of something we know is wrong. Happiness despite hate.
Happiness doesn’t disappear even when it feel like its hiding. #HappinessUnites us because it’s a shared feeling that elevates us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. #HappinessUnites – Happiness Despite Hate.
[Tweet “Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. #HappinessUnites – Happiness Despite Hate”]
Take a moment to watch the following video. It’s simply incredible to see just how connected we really are!
Video credits to Jay Shetty and Momondo
If you need a smile moment check out our:
If you want to be included on these pages just post your pic or video on Facebook with the #HappinessUnites hashtag and tag the Secret Society of Happy People or me.
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.
How appropriate this year’s theme is!