Did you know that Canada ranks 7th in World Happiness out of 155 countries? According to the World Happiness Report published by the United Nations, Norway ranks number one, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland. The rankings are based on six factors -- per capita gross domestic product, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, social support and absence of corruption in government or business. According to this United Nations Report, happiness “is increasingly considered the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy”. Who would of thought? In fact, countries such as Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, and Bhutan believe happiness to be so important to their country’s well-being, they’ve created the position of Minister of Happiness! Ms. Al Rumi, Minister of Happiness for United Arab Emirates states: “For us in the UAE, happiness is very important. I am a very happy and positive person and I choose to be happy every day because this is what pushes me, this is what motivates me, this is what gives a sense of purpose to my life, so I always choose to see the glass half full,” she said.
MARCH 9-10 is NATIONAL UNPLUG DAY
Put your devices to bed for 24 hours.
Take the Challenge to unplug from sundown March 9 to sundown March 10!!
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. – Ann Lamott
Happiness has elevated beyond the “fluff” factor. A recent CBC podcast endorses this fact describing record enrolment in a Yale course that focses specifically on finding authentic happiness: Psychology and the Good Life. It has the prestigious honour of being the most popular course in the school’s 317 years! U.S. statistictics declare 80% of students are overwhelmed and 50% are lonely. They feel betrayed by a system that taught them to believe that good grades, money and “things” will make them happy. They’re on a mission to find real, authentic happiness. This popular course nudges them toward the concept of “rewirement” or re-patterning of their behavior. Acts of kindness, social connection, gratitude and finding time to do things you love are on the top of the “finding authentic happiness” list. Then comes the hard part: do it!
Unplug: Take the National Unplug Day Challenge
Call a friend: Go for a walk, set up a coffee date, take in a sports event or even better, participate.
Laugh: Humour has seriously positive benefits. Choose happiness.
Get outside: Notice and appreciate nature’s beauty. Drink in the stillness and quiet.
There’s no cookie-cutter approach for finding authentic happiness. Listening to your gut will reveal what you truly love to do. Another gauge I use for determining my likes is my energy level. What gives me energy, what takes energy away? Re-patterning our brains to change our responses to events and creating new habits takes patience. Is it worth it? Heck yes!!!
My recommended podcast: Cut Through Hate illustrates there’s hope for change! Amazing stories that illustrate hate can be kicked out of this world.
Where would our life and society be without music? Take a listen to these docs and links :
20 Pieces of Music that Changed the World
Bahamas uses music for therapy. A story about creativity and forgiveness.
In celebration of International Women’s Week