Why happiness matters!
By Shirley Moulton - Founder, The ACADEMi of Life, NYC
‘The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.’ Everyone wants to be happy, yet many are not.
I recently read about an organization called Action for Happiness whose mission is to bring happiness to the world. It’s really a ‘movement for positive social change bringing together people from all walks of life who want to play a part in creating a happier society for everyone.’
I was completely taken with its mission as it’s so closely aligned with the purpose of The ACADEMi of Life; so I joined the movement. Once you join the movement, the ten keys to happiness (GREAT DREAM) below are shared. You will also get a set of personal aspirations for life.
TEN KEYS TO A HAPPIER LIFE
Giving - Do things for others
Relating - Connect with people
Exercising - Take care of your body
Appreciating - Notice the world around
Trying out - Keep learning new things
D irection - Have goals to look forward to
Resilience - Find ways to bounce back
E motion - Take a positive approach
A cceptance - Be comfortable with who you are
M eaning - Be part of something bigger
On their site (www.actionforhappiness.org) I found an iPhone app called mappiness, used to track your happiness. It is a part of a research project at the London School of Economics. I downloaded the app and use it to track and submit my happiness data on a daily basis.
I am thrilled and excited that this organization exists to serve as the focal point for a fundamental shift in cultural values. We need social enterprises like Action for Happiness and The ACADEMi of Life to bring together groups of like-minded people who will commit themselves to try to produce more happiness in the world and less misery. I remain confident that we can create a society in which people feel better inside themselves – where they are happier.
Dalai Lama: "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."
