Happiness is the Truth…
Those are the very words that came to my mind when I thought why not figure out what the imminent International Day of Happiness is all about.
The line, of course, is from the immensely popular song by Pharrell Williams, Happy and I was reminded of my daughter immediately. There she was, perhaps a couple of years ago, rehearsing her dance moves for an upcoming school event while doing some full-throated singing of the electrifying number. Sure, she was happy that time!
Listen to the song. Did you notice that it sings of a state when “you know what happiness is to you” and then goes on to offer the condition to experiencing it. Happiness is in doing what you want to do. Period. But then is it so simple? Does it not involve preconditions and is pivoted only on the Self? While such sceptical asks engage you, don’t forget to “clap-along” as life will have gone by before you knew.
Look at the photograph. A little girl whose eyes are filled with wonder and whose lips curve into a smile that can, in the choicest way, be described as innocent. She is lost in the lap of nature and her exuberance is eternalised in the instant itself. It is infectious as I can feel it too. All that I can wish is that I could harbour happiness as effortlessly as she did. At that moment and I am certain, all the time.
But once we become adults, we are irredeemable. We are then chasing a fantasy that we assume belongs to the future. We are hopelessly in pursuit of happiness that needs to be arrived at.
I’m suddenly reminded of a quote by the absurdist author, Albert Camus: “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
Happiness depends upon ourselves -Aristotle
Happiness has nothing to do with a defined algorithm or a lucky lot. It is not dictated by an activity or an event outside of ourselves. It is unintentionally intimate and unpremeditated. And while feeling happy is a random sensation, to achieve that joyful state often demands persistence and purpose.
Perhaps to make people realise the significance of happiness in our daily lives, the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/281 of 12th July 2012 proclaimed 20th March as The International Day of Happiness. The day is celebrated worldwide every year and is a reminder of the fact that “happiness is a fundamental human goal.”
Interestingly, the resolution was initiated by Bhutan, the country, which since the 1970s had prioritised national happiness over national income. In fact, the country has been singled out for placing the goal of Gross National Happiness over and above Gross National Product.
It is also worth reckoning that photographers of the United Nations have curated an exclusive collection of pictures that capture ‘happiness’ and well-being. Even random interviews are conducted on this special day to find out what happiness means to individuals. While for most, it is spending time with family and friends, for others, it is travelling, being with oneself, spreading love, doing community work and changing the world to make it a better place. I heart-ed it when someone said that the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked croissants every morning made her happy!
The theme for International Happiness Day 2025 is ‘Caring and Sharing‘ to promote kindness in the world that is torn by insensitivity and strife. I find it extremely relevant as it encourages empathy and emancipation to create a connected world. That reminds me of Enid Blyton‘s enlivening tale, The Good Turn. To do something for others without expecting anything in return. Of course, donations are always deemed beneficial but to do something personally, is way more impactful. Believe it or not, the doer feels as delighted as the receiver of the action. I can barely share the satisfaction I savour in teaching a handful of underprivileged children every weekend. So, whether you give the gift of time to a lonely soul or work towards a great cause, the outcome will be equally pleasant and pleasurable.
No matter, the monotone your life is playing now, to keep the chemical quartet, I mean the happiness hormones, free-flowing, try doing one or more of these things. They are time-tested techniques and either one or the other will make you feel warm and worthy.
Convince yourself to accept that you are happy.
It can be an outright lie at present but keep repeating the same narrative to yourself as innumerable times as you can. Your brain will deny, defy and even demean you but gradually you will be able to dictate your thoughts and the four sisters (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins) will be at your beck and call.
Being active is scientifically proven as the best means to feel an exciting gush through your body. You have to sweat it out to be able to swear by it. Of course, slack-off periods are essential in an exercise regime as the body needs some respite too. And so does the mind. Hit a pause and release it from the sprints it is subject to every second. I meditate to recoup and replenish my mind.
Don’t be content with the ‘how?’ of life; drive yourself to ask the ‘why?’ As cerebral beings, we need a purpose to live, an ‘ikigai’ to inspire us. It could be anything from being a ‘chai-wala’ to becoming the Prime Minister of a country. And before you guffaw at the articulation, tell me if you’ve heard of Aabid Surti? He is an author, painter, journalist, screenwriter, cartoonist, who turned into a water warrior by fixing dripping taps free of charge and saving more than 20 million litres of water! This octogenarian is buoyant, to put it blatantly and is a role model for finding joy through meaningful deeds.
Life can appear absurd and agonising but happiness is an inherent human right. It lies with us to learn the secret to kindle the feeling of “joie de vivre” in our day-to-day acts and experience the fullness of our lives.
Happy International Happiness Day!
By Promita Banerjee Nag
An avid word enthusiast and content-churner, Promita is fuelled by novel writings, ideas and light-hearted banter. A teacher by passion, she treads the path of unequivocal learning with and through her students. Mother, music and ‘mishti’ mostly convince her. If you wish for a tête-à-tête, feel free to reach out to her at promita033@gmail.com.
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