The Happiness Movement


Imagine a society which defines success as happiness, health and prosperity for all of its citizens. A society which actively pursues policies and programmes that support people in their pursuit these fundamental human needs. Just imagine that all the institutions of society have this common vision of success and manage themselves accordingly. That’s our vision. Let’s expand on it.

Just imagine:


  • The principles of happiness, health and prosperity enshrined in a country’s constitution and/or national policy.
  • Government running the country in ways that encourage and support citizens achieve happy, meaningful lives.
  • Political parties pushing government to stick with policies that support the constitution and national policy.
  • The entire educational system from universities down to kindergarten schools focusing on developing subjects, teaching methods and curricula that focus on helping young people prepare for life in a balanced way.
  • Commercial companies and employers genuinely focusing on the happiness of their employees, customers, suppliers and society as well as profits and growth.
  • A society where people take responsibility for their lives. Where people define what they want to do with their lives and then take the actions that move them towards their dreams.

Just imaging such a society! Doesn’t it sound wonderful? A wonderful environment to live in, to work in, to rear our children in, to grow up and grow old in. Imagine a society based on helping people find meaning and purpose in their lives. A society where everybody, regardless of class, creed or financial status has the opportunity to live a happy, dignified life. This is a society that values human dignity, love, empathy and respect for all humanity and everything on this planet.

Well, that’s the Vision! The Dream! Maybe the above definition can be improved and your input is welcome – we are all in this together. Become part of The Happiness Movement and make the world a better place to live in now and into the future for all its inhabitants.

Sadly, such a wonderful society described above does not yet exist. Instead there are massive inequalities within society and between societies. Warfare is endemic and the spectre of famine stalks the earth. People are living longer but poor health confronts populations everywhere from AIDS in Africa to obesity in Europe and the USA.
People are no happier now that they were fifty years’ ago despite the massive positive changes in technology, living conditions and financial prosperity. Stress, depression and suicide are taking a heavy toll. Many people are in a mess. Society and the planet are suffering too.

Is there any hope?


Yes there is always hope. An increasing number of people – you and me for example – want to see such an exciting, happy society evolving. This is my vision, this is our vision. It can be your vision. It can lead to a fabulous vision for society and the world. With your help and support, we can and will build a better society for ourselves, our families, neighbours and everybody on this planet. So, let’s begin. Let’s work together for a better future for ourselves and those that come after us!

The need is there in society. The will is there amongst a growing number of people. So, let’s use this website to develop and discuss our ideas, share them with others and spread them so that more and more people can lead happy, healthy and prosperous lives. That surely is success on a grand scale.

We can use this website is to bring our Vision into reality through the following specific goals:

Create a new way of defining and measuring success for individuals and society,

and

Foster the adoption of this way of defining and measuring success by all the institutions and individuals that make up society.

Become part of The Happiness Movement


This is what you can do to participate in the Happiness Movement.

Start by defining and measuring what makes you happy. (link to relevant service) Then set goals and take actions to increase your levels of personal success and happiness (link to relevant service)

Join in the debate on the Happiness Movement Blog.

Increase your knowledge by linking in to other sites and blogs that are part of the Happiness Movement (link to links)

Encourage others to do all of the above by letting others know about the Happiness Movement. Spread the word!

Start lobbying politicians! Remember the ultimate aim is to get happiness included in the way we define and measure success in society. So, start lobbying politicians in every political party, especially politicians you know and parties you vote for. Let them know that there is a better way to define success than just Gross National Produce and all the economic measures that go with it.

Start campaigning for Gross National Happiness – and whatever other terms come up as the debate and growth in the Happiness Movement develops.

Start lobbying influential people and decision makers throughout the institutions that make up society – and play such an important role in determining the conditions we live and work in. Here are some examples – you’ll think of others:

  • Professors and teachers and the educational system should be educating children and young adults in happiness and life skills as well as maths, history and science.
  • Doctors, nurses and administrators in the health services, which should be focus on what makes patens happy as well as focusing on disease.
  • Employers in public and private companies should include the happiness and personal success of employees in the company mission statement and objectives as well as profit and business growth.
  • The media – TV, radio, films, newspapers – encourage them to carry more positive, happy news and stories.
  • Spread a bit of happiness every day by the way you treat yourself and interact with other people by choosing to be happy today when you get up and greet everyone with a smile during the day.



ARTICLES

An ever expanding archive of articles on Life Planning, Personal Finance and the one-and-only Veggie Patch where you can chill out. Read More....


FREE RESOURCES

Free Resources to help you get on track to making the changes that will make a big difference to your life. Try the Happiness Assessment now which includes valuable follow up material.



YES I CAN

The book behind this web site. Do yourself a favour and get a copy of Yes I Can right now.