Happiness Happens Month
Take stock of your life and figure out which things make you truly happy. Focus on them, and find new ways to fill your life with as much joy as possible.
What makes you happy? Happiness Happens Month is a whole month dedicated to celebrating what makes you happy. The holiday is based on the premise that happiness is unlimited and contagious and that sharing one’s happiness and can bring a lot of joy in other people’s lives.
Even though Happiness Happens Month sounds silly, it does have a very important purpose. “The month reminds us that happiness happens one small moment at a time and it’s our job to recognize those moments when they happen. It reminds us that sometimes a small action boosts our happiness. It reminds us that happiness is a personal experience and it’s also contagious!”
The History of Happiness Happens Month
Pamela Gail Johnson is the founder of The Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP) and is quoted as saying “I started the Secret Society of Happy People in 1998 to provide a missing voice for those who are happy and want to express it without having other people rain on their parade. (Boo, Hiss!)”.
The Secret Society of Happy People started celebrating happiness with Admit You’re Happy Day on August 8, 1999. But their members wanted to let the happy feeling linger a little longer, so in 2000 they expanded the celebration to the entire month of August. Eventually the month was renamed Happiness Happens Day and Month.
How to Celebrate Happiness Happens Month
Happiness Happens Month encourages people to take stock of their lives and try to do and think about things that make them happy and to share this joy with others. Here are some ways to celebrate this happy month:
Do something nice for yourself – after all, happiness starts at home. Make someone else happy by doing something nice for them. It can be something as simple as giving up your seat on the bus to someone else or a more elaborate gesture like volunteering your time and money to a charity of your choice.
Studies have found that volunteering doesn’t only help people bring joy in their lives but can also help them live longer. Don a pair of silver shades (because happy people always see the silver lining), laugh (laughter is still the best medicine), smile (and the world smiles with you). The Secret Society of Happy People run a 31 Days, 31 Types of Happiness, 31 Ways to Feel Good challenge, where every day in August will be a different happy challenge for you to try.
