Happiness is...

Shelves are filled with books on how to find happiness, we see pins and posts with inspiring quotes to lift our spirits, and icons abound that symbolize happiness and smiles. Charles Schultz created books to finish the line, "Happiness is..." featuring his well-loved Peanuts characters.

We all desire it, we all want to achieve it, and some work tirelessly to find it. Today the tables turn a bit because today is about happy, but it's not about our own happiness; it's about bringing that happiness to others. March 3 is National "I Want You to be Happy Day"! It is a day that was created to encourage us to do something to make others happy. The power of a smile is, that when we put one on someone else's face, it tends to put one on ours too. So we actually double happiness!

How do we celebrate the day? There aren't any official party goods for the day; although I can't help but have the image of the yellow happy face in my mind. In fact my grandmother so loved that smiling yellow face, that one year for Christmas, each grandchild was given a wallet, a pin, a pillow, and an alarm clock decorated with that yellow smiley face staring at us! While most of those are gone, I still have the alarm clock and after many years, it still works! I have to say that as many years as I have looked at it, it doesn't seem to lose its influence or power; it brings a smile to my face every time!

While the scene from Forrest Gump gave Forrest the credit for the creation of the smiley face on a t-shirt; it was actually created around 1963 by a graphic designer/ad man who was commissioned to come up with something to lift the spirits of insurance employees, after a series of intense mergers and acquisitions had them smiling much less in their daily tasks. It led to tens of thousands of variations over the decades. Including one well known version of the smiley paired with the slogan "Have a Happy Day!". While its meaning has changed with social and cultural values; I like to stay with the optimistic message for which it was created. I think all of us could use more smiles in our workplace!

Making someone happy, it doesn't have to cost us anything but a few seconds of our time! A glance and warm smile across the room can be like coming home; it says the many things unspoken, it's a safe harbor. It's a soft touch, a giggle, a lean, and a random conversation about the silliest thing. It doesn't have to come with words, or even a smile; happiness can be a warmth that fills us just knowing that someone is out there that truly cares, that will always be there, that shares our happiness when we experience it, and can't wait to spend even a few minutes in a chat or quick visit. Yes, happiness doesn't have to cost us a cent; but for the receiver, as well as the giver, happiness is priceless!

If wearing a smiley t-shirt isn't on your wardrobe plan for the day, how can you celebrate this day? The possibilities are truly limitless! A simple act of kindness not expected, a silly joke, a hug to remind your children how much you love them. It doesn't have to be a grand display in any way; sometimes the littlest thing can brighten someone's day! Whether face to face or far away you can send a smile to someone you know; a random text to remind them how important they are, or that you love them, might just turn their day around. What about someone you don't know? Can we bring happiness to them? Holding the door open for a stranger and telling them to have a good day, pay for coffee for the person behind you in line, or the simplest of all, just give them a smile; don't ever underestimate the power of a smile to brighten someone's day! We all need a little more happy in our days, why not start today and remind others that you want to see them happy too!