While acknowledging the fact that each individual is different and has their own specific dreams and goals for their life, it could be said that there is one basic goal that every human being strives to achieve: happiness. Through all the technological progress our world has seen in recent decades, it has also seen a general decrease in the basic conditions in which humans live, which includes a decrease in well-being and happiness. However, some individuals have begun to realize that truly valuable progress should be directed not at improving the economy, but actually at increasing well-being and happiness. In fact, in 2011 the UN General Assembly recognized that happiness is a “fundamental human goal” worth striving for. This assembly also determined that very inclusive approach to economic growth that bears in mind and promotes happiness and well-being was highly desirable. To this end, a UN conference on the subject of happiness was convened in 2012, at which time the UN General Assembly, supported by all one hundred ninety-three member states, decreed that the International Day of Happiness would be observed on March 20th each and every year. March 20th, 2013 marked the very first International Day of Happiness. Unfortunately, few people know how to achieve true happiness–or how to maintain it once they achieve it.
The Way to Happiness
The Way to Happiness is a common-sense moral code comprised of twenty-one basic precepts that guide an individual in how they can behave and act in their life in order to achieve and increase not only their own happiness, but also the happiness of others around them. Individuals of all faiths, in all countries, and in all economic conditions have benefited from this booklet and the various lessons it imparts, which include precepts such as “Take Care of Yourself”, “Be Trustworthy”, “Set a Good Example”, “Do Not Do Anything Illegal” and many, many others.
On this next International Day of Happiness, The Way to Happiness Foundation intends to help more individuals than ever realize the basic goal of this day by sharing The Way to Happiness booklets with as many individuals as they possibly can. Like a single ripple in a pond, the power of the simple precepts contained therein can rapidly and dramatically improve an individual’s life, which in turn can improve the lives of community members, entire societies and humankind as a whole.
