August is Happiness Happens Month. This cheery holiday has been around for 20 years! Of course, I’m all over this holiday because I am of the firm belief that life is what you make of it. In honor of making happiness happen, this month I’ve made it my goal to smile a little more, enjoy the flowers and butterflies that the rainy season has brought, and take things one day at a time.
So here are some ways you can celebrate Happiness Happens Month.
Do A Self-Assessment
Find out how happy you are. Take the Authentic Happiness Inventory sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania to measure your overall happiness. You have to register but it’s free. While you are there go ahead and take the General Happiness Scale which assesses enduring happiness and the Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire which measures current happiness.
Take A Course
Take the course The Science of Happiness sponsored by edX and the University of California–Berkeley. It’s free and well worth the effort. If you find you don’t have time for it, you can read my summation of the course here.
As you probably know, I have my own happiness course designed for expats that are struggling with the adjustment to their new country. Surviving Voluntary Exile: How to overcome common obstacles to making a successful life transition at Coursecraft is deeply discounted when you use this LINK.
Read A Book
If courses aren’t your thing, you can get a book version of Surviving Voluntary Exile: How to overcome common obstacles to making a successful life transition at Amazon. The ebook version is FREE for the next few days. The printed version has added journal pages for you to get the most out of the activities and information included.
Go And Enjoy Every Minute
This month make it a priority to enjoy the moments you have been given, even if you are struggling with physical, mental or emotional overload. Taking time to smell the roses will do you a world of good!
Do Something For Someone Else
Happiness shared is happiness multiplied. Go out of your way to make someone smile this month and see just how good you feel. If you are looking for volunteer opportunities check these charities and non-profits out.
So now that you know it’s in your hands, how are you planning on making happiness happen this month?