How many times a year do you get an excuse to celebrate happiness? Why not on March 20?
The International day of happiness, which was established by the United Nations (UN) on June 28, 2012, will be celebrated throughout the world on March 20. This special day will be celebrated in Turkey for the first time this year.
By designating a special day for happiness, the UN aims to focus world attention on the idea that economic growth must be inclusive, equitable, and balanced, such that it promotes sustainable development, and alleviates poverty. Additionally the UN acknowledges that in order to attain global happiness, economic development must be accompanied by social and environmental well-being.
The initiative to declare a day of happiness came from Bhutan – a country whose citizens are considered to be some of the happiest people in the world. The Himalayan kingdom has championed an alternative measure of national and social prosperity, called the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH). The GNH rejects the sole use of economic and material wealth as an indicator of development, and instead adopts a more holistic outlook, where spiritual well-being of citizens and communities is given as much importance as their material well-being.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), many Turks believe that the international day of happiness isn’t about drawing smiley faces on sticky notes or putting a good face on bad news, it is about hitting the “pause” button sometime during March 20 and thinking about how happiness is an essential element of a basic life. Families is one of the top factors to make Turkish people happy, according to the interview. Many Turks say that the happiness resides in family.
-The key of happiness is in your hand
“It is wonderfully freeing to simply write these words: Happiness is essential” says famous Turkish psychologist Cenk Erdem, “While it is different for each of us, happiness is something we all need and deserve.””Waking up fresh, drinking a cup of tea with great enjoyment or seeing the one that you love most is the real happiness, ” Erdem said.”Happiness is not the result of wealth, health or education. Rather, it is an indicator of those things” says Erdem, “This makes happiness a powerful tool in improving worldwide economics and the health and well-being of people all around the globe.”
The report concludes that beyond health, economic and social variables at the macro level, happiness primarily depends on the lifestyle we adopt, and that, therefore, “we can improve our quality of life by adopting a lifestyle and using technology that enhances our well-being.”
Source Turkish Press
