Too many of us are too busy with important endeavours and constantly fail to chase happiness. Just thinking about a ‘relentless pursuit’ one simply gets tired and quits before even starting.
My advice, take the scenic route
And it will become such a fun pursuit.
Now let me tell you about March, the best month of the year. Forget about your taxes or your debts, put the Ides of March aside, because the reasons to celebrate and be joyful are plenty. It starts on the first day of the month, with the Romanian Martisor, and it keeps going: March 8 - International women's day, March 17 - St Patrick's Day, and of course, plenty of birthdays to celebrate as well.
Now, get ready to celebrate the International day of happiness.
The world celebrated for the first time the International day of happiness on March 20, 2013.
A bit of a visionary, I am celebrating happiness on March 20 for the past 36 years.
2017 was a prime year, mathematically and else, and I celebrated March 20 at The Cliff, in Barbados (for more see 2017 A Prime Year).
This year, the plan is to start the day with a bit of cross country skiing and finish it with a dip in the ocean with the hammerheads in the afternoon. Wish me luck!
Of course, the pursuit of happiness should be everyone's daily endeavour and not just a one-day affair.
To give a little nudge to the procrastinators – you’d be surprised by their numbers - The Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations is releasing every year The World Happiness Report.
Which are the happiest countries in the world in 2018 according to them?
Sibelius Monument in Töölö
According to the 2018 World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world. Don’t ask me how they got there. Blame it, like everything else, on emigrants.
Even if they were the big winners at this year winter Olympics, Norway, last year's winner happiness-wise, came in second place in the 2018 report.
It is followed by Denmark.
Where else can one go to the capital’s city hall in swimming trunks and bathing gown and be welcomed with a cold bottle of Jacobsen premium beer?
Both Danes and Norwegians have hygge and believe me, if you want to increase your level of happiness, you should adopt hygge too.
Gullfoss Waterfalls and the Golden Circle
Iceland is fourth. The land of ice and fire, of northern lights and midnight sun, inhabited by a nation that gave the world its first parliament, and where half of the population still believe in elves and trolls, which these days are busy mining for bitcoins ...
Switzerland’s the fifth.
Their trains are always running on time; they have not one, not two, but four official languages, however no language police; people from around the world are pouring millions into their small country and then forget about it; ... and they have Le Chat Botte ... What a bliss, for the Swiss!
Netherlands’s the sixth
They are happier than us, and why not?
Justin will say it’s because of the pot!
The Dutch also have gezelligheid and they are the happiest on April 30, Queen’s day. Don’t ask what happens on May 1.
Canada came in seventh place this year.
Obviously this doesn’t take into account Justin the Elder’s summer special. Astute Canadians have already doubled or tripled the money invested last fall in marijuana enterprises. It’s a sure thing that with the smoke wafting from sea to sea to sea later in the year we’ll all be happier than ever.
Milford Sound
New Zealand – Happiness is not related to the number of sheep - my grandfather taught me - and the kiwis come in the eight place.
Sweden – If Norwegians and Danes have hygge, the Swedes have lagom and fika. They also have Järnpojke, The Little Boy who’s happy to stare at the moon for over half a century.
Australia is tenth on the list. What can I say mates, at least you made it into the top ten.
So, don’t worry, be happy!
But if you’re not inclined to follow Bob Marley’s pot-ent advice, do like the Poles 'Jakoś to będzie.' There will always be happiness with Adresz.
Valentin Tomescu