There is no denying the fact that The Way to Happiness is a very powerful booklet, filled with important precepts that can be applied by anyone in order to improve conditions in their own and others’ lives. This non-religious moral code is based entirely on common sense, and can be easily grasped, understood and applied by individuals of all ages. However, its effectiveness in bringing about improved conditions in the lives of individuals, families, groups, communities and society is largely dependent upon its broad application. This is part of the reason behind the recent The Way to Happiness contest in Hungary–to encourage young individuals to dig deep for ways to apply these precepts.
The Way to Happiness Contest Hungary
Last September, children from Hungarian elementary and upper schools were invited to participate in a Way to Happiness art contest. Participants were asked to use their chosen form of art to describe what they felt an honest life truly meant. The purpose of the contest was to draw attention to the fact that individuals themselves can make the choices that shape their futures and lead to happiness and success for self and others around them. It also helped to draw more attention to The Way to Happiness precepts themselves, as contest participants interpreted the application of these precepts into real-life examples.
Many different businesses contributed gifts and awards to the contest, and contest winners received a variety of prizes like circus tickets, bicycles, plush toy animals, gift books, amusement park tickets, snack packages and much more. Thanks to advertising help from local television and radio stations, there were more than thirty-two hundred different drawings and pieces of literature from children in one hundred thirteen Hungarian schools submitted for the contest. In fact, the interest in the contest was so high that a full event and exhibition was planned in order to put the various works of art on display for the enjoyment of over four hundred parents, teachers and schoolchildren. Event speakers included well-known Hungarian writers, a screenwriter, a film director, a police officer and many others who all acknowledged the participants for their amazing artwork. Even after the award ceremony, the children’s artwork remained on display for two full weeks to further help spread the messages of honesty, trust, happiness and most importantly, hope.
