#BeSureSundays- International Day of Happiness
Today I kicked off my week long birthday celebration by writing inspirational notes on brown paper bags for the homeless. #HashtagLunchbagDC is a non-profit that meets monthly to assemble sandwiches and package them with fruit and water inside of bags covered in love notes.
When the lunches are complete, half are delivered to a shelter in D.C. and the remaining is distributed by volunteers who walk a mile from Gallery Place to McPherson Square giving them to anyone who wants one. These lunches aren't only nourishment, they are happiness. Every person I met during the distribution expressed their gratitude through words or a smile. Unbeknownst to them, I was equally as grateful for them allowing me to serve and bring an ounce of joy to their day.
Hours later while swiping through Snapchat filters, I learned that it was the "International Day of Happiness." A day encouraging people to deliberately place all their energy towards being happy! After thorough research I discovered that this declaration more than personal happiness, it was created by the United Nations to address the "complex, interrelated challenges faced by humankind in the ultimate quest to achieve happiness."
Let me break it down for you- some people don't have access to clean water, sanitation systems, housing, reproductive rights, fresh food, or safe transportation methods and these are barriers to their happiness. The U.N. proposed this day to promote happiness as a universal human right and goal.
I was instantly inspired to use this as the basis for today's #BeSureSundays
I love choosing happiness and in order to remain resilient, I utilize several techniques daily. Look below for the three resources that I found to help you incorporate happiness into your life today and always.
Stay Updated: The official website for the International Day of Happiness from the United Nations has a load of resources, reports, and opportunities that you can join to help share the mission of happiness.
Surround Yourself: This dynamic video from Stacey Flowers, the Happiness Ambassador explains the five people we need in our lives to stay happy. I have all of these people in my life and I am a walking testimony that they make a difference. If you don't have these people in your life, consider getting them ASAP!
Great Dream: This guidebook shares ten actions we can incorporate into our lives to increase happiness in our lives and those around us.