Have you ever noticed how a quick chat with a friend or a kind neighbor can make all the difference to your day? That’s the power of connections! This year's International Day of Happiness, theme, "Reconnecting for Happiness: Building Resilient Communities," serves as a helpful reminder.
As a life coach and motivational speaker focused on increasing the happiness quotient in the world, everyday, I experience how strong communities can add to individual and societal well-being. I live in a community where we celebrate festivals, sports, pets and each other’s expertise. Compassion and respect abound, living there is joyful. My experience in Hong Kong was very different, where even after years of living, I did not know my neighbour.
When we focus on uniting and supporting one another, we discover happiness in our relationships. It’s easy to become engrossed in our personal affairs and overlook the value of community. There is a fundamental difference between being a connection on social media and connecting in person. To build a community, we need to step out of our comfort zone and make an effort to engage meaningfully with another. A small deed of kindness, such as smiling at a stranger or lending an ear of compassion to a buddy in need can convey joy.
An inspiring example that captures the spirit of establishing contact for happiness is when a group of volunteers in Mumbai joined together to start "Dabbawalas," a lunchbox delivery service that provides office workers in the city with home-cooked lunches. The Dabbawalas have managed to maintain an amazingly low error rate despite various obstacles. Their commitment, camaraderie, and feeling of belonging serve as a brilliant illustration of the value of connections.
Like the Dabbawalas, creating resilient communities involves consistent gestures of support, and spending time together, listening, and showing up for one another. Communities can transform lives. My community weathered Covid due to the leadership of many residents who volunteered to share, support and help each other.
We can build a resilient and strong fabric that can withstand any adversity when we unite, support one another, and embrace our diversity. So, this International Happiness Day, let's commit to reconnecting for happiness and make the world a happier, more compassionate place for all.
