Monday, July 2, 2012

A Letter From Jerusalem And The International Happiness Day



A Letter From Jerusalem And The International Happiness Day

Some years back, a survey rated Nigerians as the happiest people on earth. But I noted that the survey was based on interviews with only the Nigerians found in safer and richer groups of the Nigerian society and not including the miserable population of the poor masses and hostile legions in the volatile northern states.

Anyway, Nigerians can still find happiness in spite of the social, economic and political challenges in Nigeria and my positive faith in Nigeria motivated me to initiate the House of Happiness Club in Nigeria which is part of a global movement to make more people happy and promote peace in our world. And all Nigerians are invited to join us to celebrate the coming International Happiness Day on Tuesday July 10, 2012.

The United Nations has passed the resolution for the worldwide observation of the International Happiness Day.

"The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal," said the resolution, which was passed by consensus in the 193-member assembly today.

The resolution calls on all member states "to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness activities".

You can organize special events to celebrate the day in your respective communities and upload the videos on Vimeo or YouTube or on blogs for public appreciation. I have The Project Happiness film for any club or community to show the quest for happiness by a group of Nigerian students, American students and Indian students.




With the unspoken epidemic of stress and depression infiltrating every community, how can kids (of all ages) learn to generate their own happiness regardless of the situations they face? Follow three groups of high school students from three continents on a quest to understand the nature of lasting happiness. What they discover uncovers the potential for happiness that is in us all.

The film focuses on four teens from Santa Cruz, California. Each faces personal obstacles to happiness: loss, alienation and the everyday challenges of being a teenager passing into adulthood. An innovative project that asks the question “How do we achieve lasting happiness?” introduces them by internet and video diaries to their peers in Nigeria and India and quickly leaves lectures and books behind. The teens also engage in conversations with cultural icons George Lucas, Richard Gere and groundbreaking neuroscientist Richard Davidson. The three international groups ultimately meet face to face in India for the first time to prepare for a rare private audience with the Dalai Lama.


The following letter is from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin of the Happiness Club in Jerusalem.

Hi Michael,
I was very excited and happy to read in the latest happiness club newsletter that you are starting a happiness club in Africa (Nigeria).

Happiness is accomplished one person at a time. I am founder and host of the Joy (Happiness) Club of Jerusalem.
You are welcome to attend any meetings when you visit Jerusalem.
A happy and kind world is a peaceful world.
I love Lionel and anticipate 1000 happiness clubs worldwide.
Keep up your great work.

Zelig

Zelig Pliskin is an Orthodox rabbi, writer, lecturer, and author of more than 25 books, including My Father, My King, Building Your Self-Image, Life Is Now: Creating Moments of Joy, Courage, Kindness, and Serenity, Anger: The Inner Teacher, Kindness: Changing People's Lives for the Better, Guard Your Tongue, Love your neighbor: You and your fellow man in the light of the Torah : a practical guide to man's relationship ... culled from the full spectrum of Torah literature and Gateway to Happiness.. The focus of Pliskin's teachings is helping people improve themselves and find happiness.






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