The theme for International Day of Happiness 2023 is “Be mindful, be grateful, be kind”.
What is International Day of Happiness 2023?
International Day of Happiness 2023 is commemorated to promote happiness around the world by inspiring individuals to share their happiness with others, whether it be huge or small. This day serves as a reminder to urge each country to put its residents’ happiness first. It is not surprising that there has been unending philosophical debate and discussion on the topic of happiness for thousands of years because it is one of, if not the primary, aim of human life.
Happiness can lead to a more equitable and well-rounded approach to economic growth, one that prioritizes sustainable development, combats poverty, and improves societal and personal well-being.
Despite the fact that it might be difficult to define happiness, it can be divided into two basic categories:
➛ how we are feeling right now and
➛ how satisfied we are with our lives as a whole.
As a result, there are various kinds of happiness that might result from a sudden surge of intense feelings like joy or exhilaration or a slower and more consistent sense of contentment.
International Day of Happiness History
The International Day of Happiness has a global history. Jayme Illien, an advisor first presented the idea to the UN in 2011. Illien also developed “happytalism” and the United Nations New Economic Paradigm initiative, which sought to capitalism.
The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the concept in July 2012, leading today to the creation of the International Day of Happiness 2023. It was first observed in 2013. The occasion acknowledges how essential it is for happiness to be incorporated into governmental policies and how essential it is for people to be happy.
The International Day of Happiness 2023 is sponsored and participated in by organisations such as the United Nations Action for Happiness, Happinessday.org, and others. These websites and social media accounts related to the same allows people to share uplifting stories about what makes them happy, how their happiness benefits those around them, and how it can pave the path for a better future.
How to celebrate International Day of Happiness 2023?
We can commemorate International Day of Happiness 2023 by discussing and going deeper into what makes us happy. Even the simplest things in life can give us a reason to be grateful, we can feel happier and more content with life if we take the time to recognise and appreciate them. We should consider developing gratitude as a consistent habit, perhaps by keeping a ‘gratitude notebook’.
➛ Spending time with loved ones and working on relationships is also important because healthy relationships are essential to our happiness. Getting more sleep is another important habit we can cultivate for a better quality of life, so it would be wise to retire early at night and wake up early. This habit will make one feel revitalized and more energized the entire day.
➛ Happiness can be found in acts of imparting social service to the community. While there are numerous NGOs working towards addressing a number of the more crucial and pressing issues, there are few that go out of their way to ensure the overall happiness of their beneficiaries. Wishes and Blessings is one such organization. Under the umbrella project of the “Happiness All The Way”, there are numerous initiatives like- Birthday Manao, Special Treats and Festive Celebrations.
Wishes and Blessings believes that happiness is a work in progress. It is not just an end but a means to an end as well. Besides all these, the organisation has been making an impact by working on various initiatives since 2014 such as – Accessible Education, Food for All, Customisable Charity, SOS Relief, Overall Cause of Happiness, and Elderly Care. The NGO truly has been spreading smiles and making dreams of the lesser privileged come true.
“A man becomes truly human only when he tries to make others secure and happy.”
So, this International Day of Happiness 2023 we can try to focus on others too. Let us start by keeping and making ourselves happy and then doing something nice and thoughtful for others which will not just make others happy but provide us with inner peace and happiness. This International Day of Happiness 2023, let us take a pledge to bring a change in our society starting simply from being mindful, grateful and kind.
