Still Sharing Happiness After 20 Years

In 1998, Pamela Gail Johnson began to ask people: “Are you happier than you admit you are?”

Working in business and health communications, Pamela realized the potential of that simple question. Especially since so many people answered: “Yes.”

So began The Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP), a missing voice for those who are happy and want to express it without having other people rain on their parade.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Secret Society of Happy People has grown beyond its original mission.

Pamela Gail is a writer, public speaker, business consultant, and the author of Don’t Even Think of Raining on My Parade: Adventures of the Secret Society of Happy People.

Pamela Gail and the society have been featured in countless national and local broadcast, print, and online news stories. Her goals were simple: to encourage happy people to talk more about being happy, and to create a space for happy people to connect.

She’s on record talking about happiness in the workplace, redefining happiness, the science of happiness, how happiness is changing, and how happiness is contagious.

SEE MEDIA COVERAGE

Happiness Happens Day & Happiness Happens Month

Twenty years ago, the society began its efforts by creating Admit You’re Happy Day on August 8, 1999. It was the first day that focused on happiness, and governors from 19 states issued proclamations so designating it.

In 2000, the Society expanded the observance to take place over the entire month of August, a time now officially called Happiness Happens Month. The day, August 8th, was subsequently renamed Happiness Happens Day.

Happiness Happens month encourages people to take stock of their lives, to do and think about things that make them happy, and to share that happiness with others.

Redefining Happiness & The Science of Happiness

Pamela’s experience has provided her with wisdom worth sharing to make the world a happier and healthier place. But she doesn’t tell people to be happy if they aren’t. She just wants them to recognize the spark, and she provides a forum for sharing it.

“When the Secret Society of Happy People started, the goal was simple: Encourage people to talk more about their happiness when they are happy. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that if people didn’t easily recognize when they were happy, it was impossible to talk more about being happy. The solution was to help people expand their definition of happiness. We initially identified the 18 Types of Happiness, which eventually grew to our current 31 Types of Happiness to help people notice more happy moments.” – Pamela Gail Johnson

“The experience of happiness hasn’t changed in the past twenty years, but the science of happiness has. More specifically, research has shown that some people are genetically happier than others. We’ve also discovered that we can control many things that impact our happiness – things like where we focus our thoughts, our lifestyles, and even with whom we spend time. This means our choices can help everyone, no matter their genetics, be happier.” – Pamela Gail Johnson

“Happiness, like all of our emotions, is fluid. It ebbs and flows, and depending on what’s going on in our lives, sometimes, we’ll be happier than at other times. Ultimately, our happiness comes from within. If other people or situations constantly adversely impact our happiness, then we’re probably giving those other forces too much power.” – Pamela Gail Johnson

Practical Happiness

Twenty years after starting the Society, Pamela has come to realize that we live a mostly happy life when we practice Practical Happiness:

Happier @ Work

Happier @ Work provides managers a toolbox of easy-to-implement projects to raise office morale.
Some companies say they have a fun workplace. Those claims may require a strong sense of humor to believe.
But not to worry, Happier @ Work also provides suggestions with our FunDays @ Work Guide.

Happiness Unites Tour

Pamela has been criss-crossing the country on a #HappinessUnites Tour of 100+ events and experiences where happiness unites us. Find out where she’s been and what she’s done. Also, let Pamela know if you’d like her to visit you on her #HappinessUnites Tour.

For media inquiries contact:

Tim Livingston
timlivingston@realnewspr.com
RealNews PR
http://www.realnewspr.com/

Pamela Gail Johnson
Secret Society of Happy People, Founder
Happier @ Work, Chief Happiness Officer