My inner news junkie binges on the Sunday morning political shows that rarely discuss positive news, but you know, even a happy girl needs to stay informed. One morning, Reliable Sources interviewed Chris Arnade, Wall Streeter-turned-reporter now documenting addiction and poverty on a road trip. Although politics wasn’t the purpose of his trip, his experience helped him understand America’s political divide.
The last question Brian Stelter asked was, “Do you feel more hopeful about the country or less?” Chris responded, “Less.” There was a little more chitchat before the segment ended with him saying, “I don’t see good things ahead.”
Those last words caused my heart to skip a beat and my happiness antenna to go up. Optimism is one of our 31 Types of Happiness, and it is also one of the founding pillars of America. Most—but sadly not all—of our descendants immigrated here because they hoped (another type of happiness) America would provide them and their families with a better life.
Feelings of Pain and Happiness Unite People
When I founded the Society I did so in part, because I believed that the feelings of pain and happiness unite people regardless of differences. I still emphatically believe that. We all feel a common ache when a love breaks our heart, someone close to us dies or when we watch a loved one hurt. We all feel a common euphoria when we laugh with a best friend, fall in love or become a parent. These moments unite everyone regardless of the size of their bank account, their job title or their age.
The world is full of cultural and personal differences. All we have to do to see that is look at our Facebook feed, watch the news or have a conversation with friend, parent or neighbor. Some differences we’ll never fully understand, but we don’t have to understand them — we only have to learn to be respectful of them. Once we do that, the differences make the world intriguing. While our differences will always make us unique, they don’t need to create separation from our common humanity.
17th Happiness Happens Month
As that Chris Arnade interview played in my mind over and over, I kept thinking, “What can I do to make a difference?” Then it occurred to me: if happiness unites, shouldn’t that be the theme for the 17th Happiness Happens Month?
I want to live in a world where more people are united by our similarities than are divided by our differences. If you do too, then will you help us remind the world that #HappinessuUnites?
Just because happiness unites, it doesn’t mean that happiness will get rid of the real problems facing our world. But who better to solve these problems than people who are optimistic that they can be solved?
#HappinessUnites
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share our Happiness Happens Month #HappinessUnites list. Maybe there’ll be something new on it you’ll want to try. Maybe you’ll be inspired to create your own list.
Some happy experiences are universal, some are tribal and some are personal. But no matter what creates our happiness, that profound happy feeling is similar and unifying.
Think about it: When you feel happy, isn’t the ordinary chaos of life easier to deal with?
[Tweet “When you feel happy, isn’t the ordinary chaos of life easier to deal with? #HappinessUnites”]
Starting now, let’s remind the world that happiness has the power to unite more people than are divided by differences. We’re asking everyone to celebrate Happiness Happens Month by making their own #HappinessUnites sign, take a selfie, then share it on social media.
Let’s remind the world of the experiences that create common smiles because #HappinessUnites!
[Tweet “Remind the world of experiences that create common smiles because #HappinessUnites”]
You can even kick-off our #HappinessUnites theme by sharing this post. Stay tuned for more updates on how our smiles can unite us.
Reading this gives me hope and like the article says hope is a type of happy.
I will do what I can to spread the word on #HappinessUnites and to help others find their happy (and maybe a little for myself). Just acts of kindness brings a happy feeling to the heart. Happiness is out there and can be shared in families, the workplace, communities and around the world. In what seems to be dark times there is a light – a spark that will vanish the darkness and embrace the world in a hug. Here’s to happiness.
When I discovered that doing things that make me happy makes a whole lot of others happy, too, that was a bonus!
Some are determined to remain unhappy no matter what it costs them. Until they decide to be happy, no one and nothing can help them. Others would like to be happy but don’t know how. By showing them how one person can be happy — by being happy yourself — you can spread the happiness virus to anyone who wants to catch it.
I plan to dance with some friends at the local Farmer’s Market tomorrow, and to dance again in the evening. Happiness set to music!