Today, March 20th is the first day of spring and it’s the International Day of Happiness.
I found out this morning thanks to Zelda was a writer. If not for her, I would not have taken care of the thing: every day someone writes on Facebook, “Today is the International Day of …” and usually it is pure spam.
So I did a little research on google, as I usually do, and I am really surprised to have discover it just today!

What I found

The International Day of Happiness was established by the UN in June 2012.
So today is the Second International Day of Happiness – Thank goodness, I lost only the first one!

The decision was taken with the resolution A/RES/66/281:

The General Assembly […]
Conscious that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal,
Recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives,
Recognizing also the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples,
1 – Decides to proclaim 20 March the International Day of Happiness;
2 – Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals , to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities […]

The interpretation of italian newspapers

Now, browsing here and there, it seems that this day has been understood by many as an occasion to draw very nice articles demonstrating our (un)happiness. First of all La Stampa, which posts the results of an Eurostat research showing the italian situation compared to other European countries. But luckily [irony mode on] there are worse countries than Italy, and the average reader can cheer up.

Wired is not far behind. It publishes nothing less than the ebook iHappy, 2013, about the state of happiness in Italy. Thanks to this research, based on hte analysis of more than 40 million tweets sent in every Italian province during 2013, you can find out if your city is right for your happiness, or not. Unbelievable but true: if the sea makes happier citizens.

My advice: I know that I quoted these sources, but, please, do not read them. Not today. Do not wrong yourself.

My personal interpretation

Is it possible that the International Day of Happiness in such a way?

I want to celebrate my own way:

➀ By sharing a song (and video) that makes me happy, even if only for a moment, that makes me smile and makes me feel lucky. Even when it starts because it is programmed as an alarm clock.

[Perturbazione feat. Dente – Buongiorno Buonafortuna]

---

➁ Sticking around the city a few flowers of Ice Cream Team with the beautiful message:

If you do not know what I’m talking about, you can find all the details here:
>> Abilmente #2: Ice Cream Team, uncinetti, sleeping masks e bicchieri di vino <<

---

➂ And finally, one last tip, through a poster that perfectly represents my thoughts:

You can’t buy happiness but you can buy a bike and that’s pretty close

– poster by Anthony Oram –