March 20 is International Day of Happiness

The National Center for START Services® recognizes March 20 as International Day of Happiness, an annual observance proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize happiness and well-being as universal human needs and aspirations.

At a time when the world can feel heavy with uncertainty and hardship, you may wonder: How do we focus on happiness when there is so much suffering around us? It can feel difficult to find moments of lightness, and sometimes experiencing joy may even seem as though we are ignoring the struggles of others.

But happiness and sorrow are not mutually exclusive. In her poem The World is Both Burning and Blooming, Karen Salmansohn reminds us that both can exist at the same time.

The world is both burning & blooming.
You get the bad news and the sunrise in the same day.
You cry over the headlines, then you laugh at a baby wearing a hat shaped like a bear.
This is the dual citizenship of being alive.
Rage and reverence,
Grief and grace.
You are allowed to feel both.
You are allowed to scream,
& still notice how good the soup is.
You don’t have to choose.
Let it all in.

As we observe the International Day of Happiness, we can remember that acknowledging joy does not mean ignoring suffering. We can hold both compassion and hope at the same time. We can work to alleviate suffering where we encounter it, while also allowing ourselves to notice moments of goodness, connection, and beauty.

Small actions can help cultivate happiness and well-being in our lives and communities—spreading kindness, volunteering, reaching out to family and friends, connecting with nature, or taking a moment to pause and practice mindfulness.

Even in challenging times, we can still notice the sunrise—and appreciate just how good the soup is.