The weather is warming up, and maybe your demeanor is too. After a long harsh winter, this Friday brings the first day of spring and also the International Day of Happiness.
Three years ago the United Nations declared March 20 a day of happiness.
“What it really is, is just showing that positive emotions have positive effects on health and longevity and personal relationships, even creativity and work," said Sandy DiGregory, co-chair for International Day of Happiness in Pittsburgh. "It all brings satisfaction. When you’re happy, good things come back, and it’s just easier to spread happiness than negativity.”
Those who wish to spread happiness can share small acts of kindness by using #happyacts on social media. For everyone that signs up at happyacts.org and shares their act, Live Happy Magazine will donate $1 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.
Live Happy will also donate $1 for everyone who signs one of the 35 national “happiness walls”.
“People will come up to our wall and they will fill out a card that says ‘I will share happiness by…’ It could be singing to a stranger, or helping someone with their groceries. It could really be anything,” said DiGregory.
Pittsburgh’s wall will be at the University of Pittsburgh in the William Pitt Union. Participants can sign the wall on Happiness Day from 7 a.m. to 7p.m. They hope to collect at least 500 cards.
