If I went out on the streets of Kingston today and asked random people, “Are you happy, at this moment?” I am sure I would get a variety of responses. Some would scratch their heads, others give a wry laugh. While a few might say, with some degree of certainty, that they were in fact happy at that particular moment, there would, I suspect, be a lot of “ifs” and “buts” involved. If you asked children, they would be more straightforward, as they always are, and give you an honest answer. Yes or No.
Well today – Thursday March 20, 2014 – if you didn’t know already, is International Day of Happiness. The United Nations Foundation has teamed up with the irresistible Pharrell Williams (who should have won an Oscar the other day, in my view, for his film music) in a vibrant campaign to put smiles on people’s faces. You can see more, and donate at 24hoursofhappiness.com. I have to admit that replaying his song does that for me – and did you know there is a Jamaican version? It’s rather short but delightful and you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFugJzhrsUM Oh, and the Guardsman Group in Jamaica (yes, security is big business here) has released a really fun video today, too.
As the United Nations website says: “Lasting happiness does not come from what we consume, how we look or how much we earn. But, let’s be honest, you probably knew that already!” Well, I hope we do.
By the way, Pharrell has also launched another project, which I find rather interesting. It’s called “i am OTHER” (iamother.com) and you can find it in all the social media. It’s an effort to expose and encourage the work of unusual and creative people who are “doing their own thing” in different fields (and also, of course, it promotes his latest album, but I hope it is more than that!) Do check it out. “We are proud to be different and believe that individuality is the new wealth.” Nice!
So then, back to happiness. The World Happiness Report 2013 had some people rather baffled. But it makes interesting reading. In case you are wondering, Jamaica is about half way down (or up) at #75 out of 156 countries. If you are talking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is some way above us at #31 and then there is Suriname at #40. European (especially Scandinavian) countries dominate the top ten, along with Canada and Australia. Israel and Costa Rica are right up there, too. The criteria used are GDP per capita; healthy life expectancy; perception of corruption; freedom to make life choices; generosity; and social support.
This rather ties in with some thoughts I have been having on Jamaica’s “Vision 2030.” The Happiness Report attempts to measure human wellbeing across the globe, and hopes this will be used as a policy-making tool by governments seeking to connect with the people, so to speak. There are some thoughtful discussions on things like values. And one very important discovery: with at least one in ten human being suffering from serious mental illness globally, mental health is a key factor that is not being addressed by our leaders. This is certainly true of Jamaica.
For the skeptical (and I am not short on that quality either) – we know, “happiness” is not an over-the-rainbow bluebird thing, always to be pursued, always elusive, sitting there on the horizon waiting for you to catch up with it. And there is no automatic “happiness switch.” There is nothing worse than forced jollity. As the Dalai Lama so wisely put it: “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
I remember distinctly that Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” that was played ad nauseam on Jamaican radio in the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. I love Bobby, but in the midst of considerable trauma and suffering it was just too much. It actually hurt.
But… I defy you to watch the global version of Pharrell’s video and not break out in a grin, or even laugh out loud. It’s at 24hoursofhappiness.com and it keeps changing as the time zones change. Currently it’s up on a mountainside with a bunch of crazy skiers in the snow. There’s a video from Antarctica – complete with whales and penguins. And there’s an edited version that simply flies around the world (thought I caught a glimpse of Jamaica in there). Yes. That’s happiness. It may only last a few minutes, but it’s there. And as a social media fanatic, this page encapsulates everything that I love about the connectivity and creativity that makes the world go round.
A comment by the rather marvelous Mr. Williams really touched me, as I watched a video of his surprise visit to a school that had done a “Happy” video (yes, there are hundreds of them on YouTube). The Man With The Hat told the rather over-excited students:
“The point is…the journey. If you can enjoy the journey, then you can enjoy your life.”
Petchary's Blog 
So right! Love the new theme 🙂
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