The Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP) has declared August as #ISeeHappy month. SOHP was created in 1998 with an unanswered letter to Ann Landers. The organization is actually not so secret any more, having been featured in People magazine and on television programs.
There’s always been this cultural norm of keeping happiness to yourself. We see it today on social media, where people are reluctant to share happy news. There are many reasons for this. One is that we don’t want to seem as if we’re bragging. Another reason might be that we just don’t want people to rain on our parade. It doesn’t particularly matter why we don’t share happiness, but we can certainly agree that in the chaos of the world, we all need happiness. Since there’s no scientific formula for happiness, we sometimes just have to create it.
Happiness Is Contagious
Happiness is an elusive emotion. Sometimes, it’s a spiritual feeling. It might be one of amusement. People feel happy in many different ways, from listening to a comedy show to being in nature or with family. You can choose your own definition of happy, and that definition does not have to be static. Not every moment that brings delight to our lives is that celebratory party with cake and ice cream. Sure, that new job or car is a moment to be remembered, but so is the time spent reading to your favorite child.
SOHP created the #ISeeHappy hashtag for August to remind people to simply look for those moments that bring someone joy. Abraham Lincoln said, “[M]ost folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” There are going to be times in your life when finding happiness is a challenge. Losing a dear friend or family member doesn’t always equate to what we consider being happy, but we can certainly remember that life goes on around us. Find peace in your beloved pet. Be thankful and grateful for three meals a day.
Finding Happy
Benjamin Franklin told people to catch happiness for themselves. The Constitution only gives us a right to pursue it. The Dalia Lama suggested that we “practice compassion” not only to be happy ourselves, but to make others happy. Helen Keller believed that happiness could only be attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose. Ernest Hemingway thought happiness was rare. The greatest philosophers of our time have many ideas on how to find or attain that feeling of contentment. How you decide to find it is simply a matter of knowing how you define it.
Every day, every individual experiences hundreds of emotions. It’s important to feel the sad moments and the glad moments. In fact, without understanding and feeling unhappiness, it’s hard to understand the opposite emotion. If you need a boost of happiness, look around. Go to your local park and watch people having fun on the slide or paying Frisbee. Take your dog for a walk and match its joy at getting to be outside sniffing things. Develop the habit of noticing when you’re amused, pleased, content, or any of the other positive emotions that equate to happiness.
Bernard Meltzer, renowned radio host in the late 20th century, started out in life as a city planner but ended up with his own call-in show, “What’s Your Problem?” He said, “Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.” I think SOHP would agree with him. Sharing good news is not bragging. Find some peace amidst the political unrest in the world. Don’t stop in September. Make happy a habit in your life, no matter what’s happening in your world. It’s good for your mental and emotional health to be free from the chaos that’s happening, even if it’s just for a few minutes.