Become a Happiness Activist by following the outline below taken from the Action for Happiness website.
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/about-us
Call to Action:
Each for each, or each for all?
That is the challenge, the clarion call,
Choosing the person you want to be,
And being the change you want to see.
Action for Happiness asks of you
To be loving, compassionate and true,
A giver of joy and a healer of sorrow,
Creator of a new tomorrow.
Making the happiness of all
Your wish, your compass and your goal.
~ by Richard Layard (AfH co-founder)
Introductory Video:
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/about-us/introductory-video
Core Beliefs:
Yes – at the heart of the Action for Happiness are three simple but profound beliefs, all grounded in scientific evidence as well as common sense:
1. We can each affect our happiness and the happiness of those around us
There is a wide range of proven actions we can take to boost happiness, both for ourselves and others. Although partly determined by factors outside our control – such as our genes and circumstances – our happiness is significantly affected by the conscious choices we make and the way we choose to react to what happens to us. Happiness is also contagious, so when we feel good we help make others around us happier too.
2. We need to prioritise the things that cause happiness
Positive relationships are the most important ‘external’ contributors to happiness. We need to put people first and do everything we can to create positive, loving and collaborative relationships in our families, organisations and communities.
Good mental health is the most important ‘internal’ contributor to happiness. We need to take care of our emotional and psychological health as well as our physical health and give much greater support to those struggling with anxiety and depression.
3. Helping others is essential for a happier society
Self-centred individualism is not the route to happiness. Helping others is of course good for their happiness, but it also makes us ourselves happier and healthier too. Giving connects us together, provides us with a sense of meaning and makes us more accepting of ourselves and others. It creates stronger communities and helps to build a happier society for everyone.
What Happiness in school and work can be:
• In our schools, we will have a more balanced education system which helps children to develop self-awareness and emotional resilience rather than just teaching them how to pass exams.
• In our workplaces, we will see employers creating positive working environments and having staff that are happy, engaged and creative.
How to take action for happiness. http://www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action
Action 3 call for the creation of an Action for Happiness Group. Action 51 suggests setting up a Happy Café at School. http://www.actionforhappiness.org/happy-cafe This could be for staff http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living for students, or both. I can envision teachers assigning these video clips to students or teachers themselves using them as action research projects. Like the Smile Collecting video students/teachers could conduct their own personal studies and use those to fuel discussions about the power of these actions. The class/group would meet regularly to explore the 51 Actions for Happiness and work at implementing them. Action 1 starts it off by taking a Happiness Pledge http://www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action/take-the-action-for-happiness-pledge
Become a Happiness Activist:
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living/happiness-activist/details