Since 2009, I’ve been writing about happiness and related concepts—and even now I sometimes struggle with the feeling that happiness is frivolous—a topic that doesn’t really matter in the face of the real and pressing problems of the world. I’ve even wondered if it’s OK to be happy.

But happiness is only frivolous if you define it as the fleeting feeling you have when you’re only pursuing your own pleasure and everything is going your way. True happiness is more than that—it’s a lasting feeling of well-being. What could be more important?

Happiness is so important that on March 20 in 2013, the United Nations declared the first International Day of Happiness “as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.” As we observe it each year, it serves as a reminder that happiness is important on a global level. 

On a personal level, I think we should each be mindful of what makes us truly, deeply happy. Then we should go about filling our lives with things that matter in the long-term, not futile pursuits and thoughtless busy-ness. When we are happy, we make others happy. We operate from a place of abundance rather than lack, opening our hands to let happiness flow to others rather than clutching it desperately for ourselves.

So today, tomorrow, and every day, I wish for you, and for myself, a life of meaningful, deep happiness and true well-being.

How will you celebrate the International Day of Happiness?

For more information:

The latest World Happiness Report ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels. The United States dropped four places to 18^th, and Canada was 7^th. (Finland ranked number one.) 

Action for Happiness

Guidebook for happier living

Get Your Happy On--Celebrate International Day of Happiness

Choose Happiness, Spread Happiness

Photo courtesy Luiza

Happiness matters.

So much so that in 2012 the United Nations created the International Day of Happiness, and it was celebrated for the first time in 2013. The purpose of this day is to educate and make people aware of the benefits of happiness. As the official website notes, “‘Progress’ should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.” 

How can you participate? It’s easy:

You can also join the movement here. 

That’s it.

Bring on the happy!

I’m happiest when I’m engaged in work that helps others, when I’m taking care of myself, and when I have enough free time to enjoy my favorite simple pleasures. How about you? How will you choose happiness today? What will you do to spread happiness?

Join in the celebration by sharing your happiness with the world via Twitter or Instagram, using any of the following hashtags: internationaldayofhappiness, #happinessday, #choosehappiness, #createhappiness, or #makeithappy. I’ll be posting my happy little moments on Instagram today.

After returning from DC last week, I promptly came down with a cold, and Tank developed a hoof abscess that has required hours of soaking, poulticing, and wrapping. Not a lot of writing has taken place here at Catching Happiness headquarters, so Link Love to the rescue! (We are both feeling much better, thank you for asking.) So without further ado:

Tomorrow, March 20, is the United Nations International Day of Happiness. (I’ve written about it here and here.) Download a free happiness guidebook here—and go forth and celebrate!

The focus of this blog is money, but these tips address deeper matters.

We often focus on striving for goals, trying to better ourselves, or fix things we think are wrong with our lives—but what if your life is mostly delightful? Jennifer Louden answers that question in “How to Stay the Course When Your Life Is Truly Delightful.”

One small way to prepare for the bad days that creep into even a delightful life, make yourself a box of happy things. My box would contain a few coloring pages and colored pencils, some individually wrapped chocolate turtles (or similar), and something funny to read—maybe something by P.G. Wodehouse or Bill Bryson. What would you put in yours?

Mistakes give us the chance to exercise our intelligent creativity, writes my friend Laure Ferlita in “The Gateway to Creativity: Mistakes.” Applicable to areas of life other than art, too! 

I dare you not to say awww at least once during this video:

Your mission today, should you choose to accept it, is to be happy. Not just for yourself, but for those around you (there is proof that happiness is contagious).

Why today? Because March 20 is International Day of Happiness, established by the United Nations to celebrate and promote “the happiness and well-being of all peoples.” Truly a cause I can get behind!

Of course, there are a number of official happiness events, and even a Facebook page, but you can celebrate in your own way.  Take the chance to think about what makes you happy—and do it! True happiness is not about what you have or only about seeking your own pleasure. True happiness stems from, among other things, meaning and appreciation. I know I’m happiest when I’m working at what I believe to be my true purpose, while at the same time noticing and appreciating all the good things in my life.

So go ahead—be happy. (And do share on social media using the hashtag #InternationalDayofHappiness.)

Here are three links to inspire you:

25 Inspirational Sayings About Joy

“7 Ways to Celebrate International Day of Happiness”

Happy music!

How will you celebrate happiness today?

What: International Day of Happiness

When: March 20

Who: 193 member nations of the United Nations

Where: All over the world

Why: Because the happiness and well-being are recognized as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of people all over the world.

How: Up to you! Find or take a picture of something that makes you happy and post it to social media (use #happinessday to be part of the official celebration) or on the “Wall of Happiness.” Learn more about International Day of Happiness here.)

What makes you happy? Share your thoughts in the comments!