Rain, Rain....Be Happy!

By: Martha Snider
How are you spending the International Day of Happiness? Here at Snider Home Base, we are celebrating another day of rain. While there are certain parts of the the United States and the World who may be cursing the abundance of precipation and the forms it takes on this day, let us remember the days, months, and years of drought. As the saying goes: "Let's rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24. Why not?  Join  the party #InternationalDayOfHappiness

Did you know that there are ten steps to Global Happiness? If not, there are. Yet, where does happiness start? It starts at home, with you, the person in your seat, wearning your name tag. If you look at the International Day of Happiness website, you will see that you are being asked to join a movement. Step 1: Tell Everyone. Tell them what?

Are you happy? I think I am happy. Yet, by definition, am I happy? By Merriam-Webster, I believe I fit the definition. synonynms: fortuitous, fortunate, heaven-sent, lucky, providential. Dictionary.com has a slightly different list of definitions and words, including  JOY. 

While I agree that JOY is a choice, I'm not so sure it is the same choice as being happy.  I think I argree with Psychologies, JOY is internal while happiness is external.

"Joy and happiness are wonderful feelings to experience, but are very different. Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events. Lifestyle mentor Rachel Fearnley shows you how to finally find joy."

To me, JOY is a long slow burn of a fire well laid whereas happiness is a beginning blaze that requires constant attention and refueling. Therefore, do not stop with one day of happiness. Otherwise, you shall fall prey to cursing the weather time and again for your next fix of happiness. 

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