March 20th is the International Day of Happiness,  unanimously adopted by  the United Nations 193 member states in 2012.  This day is intended to highlight the need to recognize the pursuit of happiness as a human right and a “fundamental human goal.”

Not New

There is no question this is a noble goal albeit not a new one.  Throughout the ages since dawn of civilization humans have philosophized about the pursuit of happiness.

Philosophers  such as Bhudda, Socrates, Confucius, Aristotle, Plato, Epicurus, Mencius, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, and religious figures like Jesus, Abraham, Moses, and the prophet Muhammad have all comptemplared the definition of happiness, and how to achieve it in some shape an form.

My own personal philosophy of life stems from the work of plato.  I consider my happiness founded in the belief I can persue my own maximum pleasure as long as I don’t impinge on that of others.

Making it Happen

Sadly creating a worldwide environment of happiness and joy for all, while a noble objective, is hard to do.  A simple poll in my workplace today revealed few (actually I found none) aware this was International Happiness Day.

The need to declare such a day, to bring attention to the basic human requirement for global happiness is in itself unfortunate. Happiness should be endemic, the norm rather than something to strive for.

Ah, Utopia.