In fact, if you were to ask my friends and family they would generally say that I’m a pretty happy guy. Perhaps it’s this natural disposition that led me to question the need for such a day, but after taking a broader perspective (and actually researching what the day was about) it became crystal clear why it’s so necessary.
IDOH recognizes that as a modern society, we are establishing fewer and fewer personal connections with each other, and argues that in a world of email, text messages, social media and the like, the basic element of human connection is being lost. I personally experience this on a daily basis given the online nature of Joyous Health. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to have a meeting with a real person when I’m swimming in a sea of digital communications. I’m not alone in my observations – researchers have long established the relationship between human connection and happiness and have concluded that it is ESSENTIAL for our survival as a species.
So now I get it. I understand the need for an International Day of Happiness and the need for a reminder to stop, take stock of what makes you happiest and reach out to those who mean the most. When putting together my happy list, one thing became very apparent – most of the items are rooted in memories or experiences with other people. It just goes to show the importance of these connections…so without further adieu!