Today, March 20, is International Day of Happiness, which the United Nations has celebrated since 2013 as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. Here, Folk Features asks a good few people what happiness means to them
Michelle Gant is the Director of The Engaging People Company:
“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” ― Henry Ward Beecher
‘This quote pretty much sums up what I think is key to happiness. The fact is there’s an absolute abundance of joy to be had in the everyday, we just have to stop and take notice. For me, happiness comes in an absolute multitude of forms – a hug from my daughter, a friend sending a text to say hello, or a simple ‘thank you’ from a stranger. And the brilliant thing is, once we discover happiness in the ordinary, we realise just how limitless our sources of joy can be. I think that’s magical.’
David Robertson is the Director of Jader Ltd:
‘If we weigh up the many as opposed to the few, their happiness would look like a meal; some shelter; some friendship; and family. In other words, bonds which we all understand and the healthy way forward for our bodies. Things like fun are secondary when you are hungry. To all those in need I shall offer a small smile. I rarely smile big, and wish that their bonds remain strong and that their bellies fed, and that this small happiness is theirs to share.’
Gemma Sandwell is an Energy Alignment Coach helping women leaders and entrepreneurs to align to their most authentic selves through positive psychology:
‘What makes me happy is nature and animals and doing work that I love helping women to be their most authentic selves.’
Beverley Wiltshire-Payne is Head of Happiness and Wellbeing at beyounow – Counselling & Psychotherapy:
‘It’s often the little things that make me happy; like watching leaves unravel themselves in the spring time – I only get to feel that joy because I’m paying attention to my environment, allowing the energy to lift my spirits and breathing into the happy feeling.’
Pippa Lain-Smith is the MD of Plain Speaking PR:
‘For me, my happy place is by the sea. I love the sound of the waves and being on a quiet beach always brings me a sense of peace. I think that taking pleasure in the small things and ‘the now’ is a huge part of being happy. If you’re always thinking ‘I will be happy when….’ then it’s too easy to miss the good things that are all around you.’
Hannah Freeman is Client Services Director at Plain Speaking PR:
‘I’m happiest when I’m outside, either by the water, or in the water. In the summer, I love outdoor swimming at Beccles Lido and paddle-boarding on the Broads with my children. When my girls giggle uncontrollably, that sparks happiness. Slowing down, unplugging from technology and spending time with great friends and family, just hanging out, playing games, eating good food, those are the simple things that make me happy.’
Sam Grainger is a Clinical Hypnotherapist at Free the Mind:
‘Happiness a positive feeling. We feel good, have a satisfaction and contentment with life – a subjective emotion that is individual to you. We strive for happiness, but it is not realistic to be happy all the time. We need to feel all our emotions. Our emotional state can change many times during just one day. We need to feel all of those emotions pain, pleasure, sadness and happiness this helps us to become a well-rounded person. Enjoy your happy moments but remember it’s also okay to feel sad, scared and anxious.’
Louise Thomas-Minns is the Founder of Louise Thomas Skin Care:
‘Nothing makes me happier than to see the change in people’s confidence, happiness and wellbeing when their skin starts to improve. It brings me so much joy to witness the physical & mental benefits of delivering skin health advice & treatments. Of course, spending time with my husband and daughter – especially by the sea – is always nourishing, as is running in nature. My advice for others is to try not too keep seeking ‘happiness’ – it’s tough – but make time each day to be truly in the moment, even if it’s only for a few minutes or on one task.’
Virginia Betts is an actor, tutor and writer – and advocate for neurodiversity:
‘What makes me happy is creating a character that can make people feel an emotion, be it surprise, humour, tension, anger, sadness or empathy. It can be in a story, poem or a part I am playing, but I try to bring authenticity to its creation and when I feel that energy I am alive.’
Angie Wakeman is the founder of Clowns Truly:
For Angie Wakeman, happiness is being a clown! Angie found herself in clown school quite by accident in 2000, fell in love with it, and decided in 2006-2008 to train with Nose to Nose to become a clown facilitator. As founder of Clowns Truly, Angie is organising a workshop called Finding Your Clown Within – An Introduction To Clowning, on May 20 and 21, at Mangreen Hall in Norwich. She describes it as a weekend of fun and permission to let go…finding your own unique clown within. ‘We will play together and let go of needing to be in control and know everything, allowing surprises to come, giving us a sense of newfound freedom and laughter.’
March 20 is the UN’s International Day of Happiness. Visit happinessday.org
(Featured image: Angie Wakeman of Clowns Truly)
Leave a Reply