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Do you know that every 20th of March is the International Day of Happiness? This annual event is organised by the United Nations since 2013 to promote the idea that feeling happy is a global human right.

Happiness is a journey not a destination. If you will be happy only when you achieve something, then it is going to be tough most of the time and you will find that happiness is elusive. Happiness is actually a state of mind and you can choose to have this state of mind! “How?”, you may ask. By practising the A-Z of happiness! Read on…

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A FOR ATTITUDE
Your attitude towards life is a barometer of your happiness. If you have a positive mindset, you will be happy most of the time. It’s not the situation that matters, but how one handles the situation.

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B FOR BEING
Be truly present with yourself or those you are present with. Just love life for what it is. Don’t keep worrying about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

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C FOR COMPASSION
Compassion(karunā) is the desire of freeing others from suffering.

Compassion opens our hearts and minds to others, breaking us out of the lonely, self-imposed confines of thinking just of ourselves. Helping those in need makes us feel connected with others and find a meaningful existence.

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D FOR DANA
Dana means generosity or giving freely. A simple act of giving – whether material, time, effort, emotional, or spiritual – is the beginning of freeing oneself from selfishness that we grasp tightly to ‘I’ and ‘mine’. With less selfishness, one feels happier.

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E FOR EXERCISE
Exercise releases endorphins, the good feeling hormone that boosts the mood. Exercise for good health – we need this body as a vehicle to cultivate in this life.