MUSINGS Make happiness a project

RANDOM ACTS Find happiness by making other people happy and committing random acts of kindness, like saving a spider from a bath tub.


Make happiness a project


Musings
Sonia Kelly

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have such a day when everyone would be dedicated to making at least one other person happy? This would be in stark contrast to those who plot to kill and maim and otherwise spread misery – above and beyond what the planet itself provides.
Now the question is, what makes people happy? A gift is always a source of great pleasure as it represents warm feelings towards the recipient. The criterion should not necessarily be size, but whatever it is deemed would generate the most joy from what is available. For instance, I was once presented with a plastic rose on Valentine’s day by one of my editors.
He has just bought it from a charity seller and it was a fun gesture, but heart-warming nonetheless. (I still have it.) Kind words can be just as effective. And as cheap. As can time spent with someone forlorn.
Most people enjoy holidays. Even a day’s break in routine can give pleasure. An expedition to some favourite place, a picnic in the sun, a walk on one of our lovely Mayo beaches...
Or how about a change in attitude, however brief? Instead of resentment, it might be possible to try appreciation. It’s amazing how underrated ‘thank you’ is in the happiness stakes.
The gift of money, of course, offers infinite possibilities. Would it not be rewarding to walk through a city and perhaps see an old, impoverished woman shuffling along a busy street, or a child gazing in a window at a toy and make their day with a little cash? Or maybe some research would reveal a family on the eve of eviction and money would restore their happiness with warmth.
The media would have to be co-opted into supporting this international endeavour by reporting only positive stories – uplifting accounts of achievements and good that inspire and vitalise the day ahead instead of launching it in a mood of despair at the beastly behaviour of a large portion of global denizens. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if the heads of state bought into it, too, and decided to introduce policies based on happiness for all, rather than prosperity for some?
If you live alone, though, how can you apply the happiness principles? Well, try it on the animals. Or the insect world. Give the dog a great big juicy bone. Or rescue that spider from the bath. I’m sure that, as WB Yeats might say, the great white spider in the sky will look on you favourably henceforth.

Happy?
According to the boffins at The Science Gallery in Dublin, Ireland ranks within the top ten happiest countries in the world – despite the economic gloom.
In a bid to understand why we still report such high levels of well-being, The Science Gallery and The School of Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin, is launching a national experiment that aims to measure Ireland’s happiness, and they want participants from Co Mayo.
To take part, text ‘Mood Mayo’ to 50123. Participants will then be sent one text a week for six weeks, which they will be asked to respond to. All the texts are free. The deadline for signing up for the National Happiness Experiment is midnight, May 23. For more information, visit www.sciencegallery.com/happy.