Act now for happiness
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions”~Dalai Lama
Action for Happiness is 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.
The core beliefs of this group are:
1. We can each affect our happiness and the happiness of those around us
There is a wide range of proven actions we can take to boost happiness, both for ourselves and others. Although partly determined by factors outside our control – such as our genes and circumstances – our happiness is significantly affected by the conscious choices we make and the way we choose to react to what happens to us. Happiness is also contagious, so when we feel good we help make others around us happier too.
2. We need to prioritise the things that cause happiness
Positive relationships are the most important ‘external’ contributors to happiness. We need to put people first and do everything we can to create positive, loving and collaborative relationships in our families, organisations and communities. Good mental health is the most important ‘internal’ contributor to happiness. We need to take care of our emotional and psychological health as well as our physical health and give much greater support to those struggling with anxiety and depression.
3. Helping others is essential for a happier society
Self-centred individualism is not the route to happiness. Helping others is of course good for their happiness, but it also makes us ourselves happier and healthier too. Giving connects us together, provides us with a sense of meaning and makes us more accepting of ourselves and others. It creates stronger communities and helps to build a happier society for everyone.
Members of the movement make a simple pledge: to try to create more happiness in the world around them through the way they approach their lives. .
Take the Action for Happiness pledge
Find out more at http://www.actionforhappiness.org/
What a great idea!
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This is so in keeping with what the Dalai Lama said on his recent visit to Ireland. Indeed he pointed to recent brain research that we are actually hard-wired for love and compassion.
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On Sophia’s point, I’ve been reading a lot of research lately which shows that kindness has a huge impact on our physiology, and can in fact dramatically improve your life – so this makes perfect sense to me.
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Much of the new scientific research shows (as Anna and Sophia) have said that kindness can have a positive impact on the heart and immune system, and can even act as an antidepressant.
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I would recommend Dr David Hamilton’s book Why Kindness is Good for You if anyone is interested in learning more about this worthwhile topic
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Thanks for the recommendation Patsy
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This reminds me of the American idea of random acts of kindness which I always thought wonderful and would love to see it catch on here some more.
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Well let’s start putting it into place ourselves Tamara..and maybe it just might catch on!
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“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give. “- Eleanor Roosevelt
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Love it!
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And one of my favourite quotes…
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”
Marcel Proust
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This is so true Michelle!
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Michelle – what a beautiful quote! Thank you.
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I love their idea of doing three kind things a day. I am going to start putting that into action right away so can I use this blog as my first thing?? You are a wonderful resource for all of us – always inspirational – so thank you for all you do! Now off to perform 2 more kind things… 🙂
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Aw thanks Janice 🙂 You are off to a great start!
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Reading this post and all these reponses has put me in a good mood – thanks for getting my day off to a good start
🙂
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You are so welcome Marianne. Have a great day..and don’t forget to be kind 😉
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I do believe that this is something we should be teaching children in our schools. Perhaps the curriculum should include a happiness module? Give them the habit early I say.
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I think that is a really worthwhile idea Jessie. Thanks for the comment.
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Mother Theresa said that while we may not be able to do great things on this Earth, we can do small things with great love and kindness. I try to remember this as I go about my daily business.
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Sally, what a beautiful way to live our lives. Thanks for the reminder.
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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
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I love that Grainne!
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You’ve picked a wonderful topic to blog about Marie. Metta is the sanskrit/pali word for practising loving kindness to others.
I also fondly remember Mother teaching us that one’s feeling of kindness towards other must arise from compassion and not through pity. And, only the presence of genuine love in our hearts can inspire acts of true kindness.
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What a wonderful comment Somnath – thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us today
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what a great way to start my day!
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Love this Marie,
You know how I feel about the choices we make and that we can choose how we react to the things that happen around us and in our lives. I love the simple but so effective points you write about here as the core beliefs. I know when I am feeling sorry for myself or depressed or anxious I want to think about only me and hide away, but the best thing for me to do is get outside myself and think about others and do something for someone else. It ALWAYS helps me feel better.
Thanks for the great reminder here.
Love, Deb
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Debbie, you have taught me so much about kindness and love x
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Nice post, perked up my day 🙂
@darcyfication on Twitter
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Marie,
Debbie pretty much nailed what I wanted to say, although I think she is much better at following through and practicing what she preaches than I am!
I also do think it’s perfectly alright to feel a bit sorry for yourself once in a while too!
And I agree happiness is contagious, as are most emotions we emit.
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Marie, this post really resonated with me. There’s no question that happiness is a major positive force in our society. I find that even a simple smile at or from a stranger brightens my day, and probably theirs as well. A smile conveys so much: warmth, encouragement, social connection, friendship on a most basic level, and a certain degree of happiness, which we need so much in our world.
While in the Emerald Isle I learned that Ireland is the 10th happiest country in the world. The U.S. lags far behind. My tour guide told us the reason is the sense of community and family in Ireland, a sense that the people can get through any struggle by being determined and optimistic and by smiling and encouraging others. I was so touched by this fact that I am determined to bring home at least a wee bit of that happiness to my corner of the world where depression is so rampant.
Thanks for this beautiful post, which so encouraged my heart.
XOXOXO,
Jan
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