Saluting Extraordinary Happiness

Several years ago, I was invited to attend a special event at the United Nations by a close friend of mine. It would be my first visit to the U.N. and I was honored to say the least.

I assumed security would be tight in a post-9/11 event at such an important prestigious venue. We were greeted by our contact and given a very short tour of the facilities. You can’t help but be in awe of the U.N., its place in history and its ultimate mission.

We walked into the receiving line and were immediately greeted by members of the royal family of the country of Bhutan. I was well aware of the fact that the government had created a unique methodology to determine the health and wellness of their country. Unlike a more traditional approach such as the GDP, (Gross Domestic Product), Bhutan uses GNH, or Gross National Happiness. Imagine that! An entire country dedicated to the tenants of happiness.

Granted this is a small country of approximately 750,000 wedged between India and China in the Himalayas. Even with a low GDP and high unemployment rate, most of the country’s inhabitants consider themselves happy.

As I go about my day-to-day life, I seek out those individuals who demonstrate happiness. Why not seek the extraordinary people who deliver happiness daily? It doesn’t take much. They are everywhere. They are doctors and nurses, food servers and chefs, receptionists, neighbors, housekeepers, teachers, mothers and fathers, trainers and coaches, conductors and musicians, comedians, athletes, entrepreneurs and business leaders, volunteers and caregivers, grandparents and grandkids and so many more.

So many thoughtful kind people are performing these tasks each and every day. They aren’t famous or part of a royal family. They may not have an opportunity to compose a U.N. Resolution. But they wake up each and every day ready to serve others. I find that extraordinary, don’t you?