Happiness: How To Be Happy in Our World

By Anna Ram~ Psychologist, Integrative Pastoral Counseling

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(A picture in my kitchen as a reminder on How to be happy every day)

Since 2012, the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network celebrates The International Day of Happiness on March 20. Global researchers analyze data from the Gallup World Poll that gathers responses from over 100,000 people from around the world. This celebration aims to promote that countries be sensitive in adopting politics that impact the well-being of their population and this translates into Happiness.

CELEBRATION’S ORIGINS

Forty (40) years ago in Bhutan a small country in the Himalayas, south of Asia , a young king decided that his nation progress will be measured not by its wealth but for the happiness shown on his people.  In this way, Bhutanese gave birth to a Gross Domestic Happiness instead of the classic Gross Domestic Product, which explains a country’s level of economic prosperity in the global markets. Today, Bhutanese are governed by  a constitutional monarchy and  legislative, advisory, and judicial powers in a democracy in infancy stage, with a belief system based on  Buddhist values.     

WHAT COUNTRY IS THE HAPPIEST IN 2025? Certainly, is not United States of America, even  when many Americans believe they are the police and moral authority of the world as the most Christian country in the world. In 2025 ranking, we are situated as “happy” in the # 24 place, falling from a #12 place in 2024. FINLAND seems to keep qualifying for the #1 in the top 10 list as the Happiest place on Earth at least for seven years., despite the sun does not shine warm  the way it does in our beautiful Florida. Surprisingly, Mexico and Israel in despite of all the violence they suffer and produce to others, they made it in the 10 top list, as the Happiest  in 2025. Go figure! Maybe their mariachis music help in Mexico, or the Milk and Honey, in Israel. (just kidding)

What Does Make Finland People the Happiest Country on Earth? Finland the happiest  How do they qualify?  “All is in the “sauce recipe”…The Markers!

THE MARKERS

The Gross Domestic Happiness marker has about 10  key factors for which a country is evaluated to classification such as:

1. Income: GDP per capita is often used as a measure of economic prosperity, which can influence happiness.
2. Social Support: The presence of supportive social networks and relationships can significantly impact individual well-being.
3. Life Expectancy: Health and longevity are critical factors in overall happiness.
4. Freedom to Make Life Choices: The degree to which individuals feel they have control over their lives and decisions.
5. Generosity: The willingness to help others and engage in charitable activities can enhance community well-being.
6. Perceptions of Corruption: Trust in government and business institutions can affect overall happiness.
7. Mental Health: Access to mental health resources and the overall mental well-being of the population.
8. Work-Life Balance: The ability to balance work responsibilities with personal life can contribute to happiness.
9. Environmental Quality: Access to clean air, water, and green spaces can enhance quality of life.
10. Civic Engagement: Participation in community and political activities can foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

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WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

Is it a mood state? Is it an emotion? What is it? This is a question that has bugged the mind of  philosophers, psychologists, religion,  and people around the world.

TERM ORIGINS: The origins of the term Happiness comes from the Latin “Felicitas” which means “Good luck”,  and “success.”  Romans associated happiness with good fortune and material prosperity. We all can relate to that…”Money is not everything but calms the nerves.”

In United States, for instance, the “pursuit of happiness” is in our constitution. Is an idea, a dream in a land of opportunity for those who can seize it and are allowed. It is not an internal abstract matter. We live in a capitalist system and society members live in the pursuit of their individualism, personal rights and freedoms.

PHILOSOPHY: The Greek philosophy considered happiness as the life’s ultimate objective to reach through seeking virtue and wisdom development.  In  Aristotle’s philosophy, Happiness was not only an ephemeral mood state but it was a way of life based in moral excellence and sound mind.  

PSYCHOLOGY: Psychology focused on pathology, of what was wrong with us until late 1800’s. Then, a shift in scientific research took place with Positive Psychology.

“Happiness is a personal state of well-being and inner satisfaction”

^{“Happiness is the result of internal and external factors such as genetics, personal relationships, a sense of purpose, kindness, and gratitude.” Psychology of Happiness}

HAPPINESS AND SPIRITUALITY

The Happiness concept is intrinsically related to spirituality, too.  For educational purposes only, I will  briefly compare Buddhism and Christianity  to make a contrast between both about their beliefs and how they reach the concept of happiness.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism is a religion, a spiritual and philosophical tradition that originated in ancient India around the 5th to 4th century BCE (before Christ was born on earth), with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.

• The core beliefs of Buddhism The Four Noble Truths, can be summarized as follows:

1. Dukkha: Life is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction.
2. Samudaya: The cause of suffering is desire and attachment (mundane desires.)
3. Nirodha: It is possible to end suffering by overcoming desire.
4. Magga: The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path.
5. The Eightfold Path: This is a guide to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions. It consists of: Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration. 

It is said that “All paths lead to Rome.” In this case to Happiness. But let’s not get confused or mistaken here. In Buddhism, the concept of happiness is often discussed in terms of well-being, joy, and contentment. True happiness is often seen as a byproduct of achieving enlightenment (nirvana) and understanding the nature of reality. This happiness is not dependent on external circumstances but arises from inner peace and wisdom  achieved through The Eightfold Path. In Buddhism happiness means a detachment to mundane desires and to enter in a state to be free from suffering. There is not acknowledgement of sin or a fallen world, so is not need for a Redeemer, like Christianity has in Jesus.

Buddhism was originated and is prominent  in Asia and aims to conquer the minds and souls of people around the world, and Westerners seem to embrace it quite easily through holistic health approaches. 

CHRISTIANITY

Christianity started in the Middle East and is over all the world. Most prevalent in Western countries as it grows in restricted countries.

In Christianity Happiness is found in the relationship and communion with God and the practice of Christian values such as forgiveness from sin and trespasses , humility, gratitude, compassion, service, giving, love one to another, and more. In Christianity, like in Judaism there is a Creator who made a Creation and  Humankind. One God that has existed without beginning and end.  In Christianity, Christ is the promised Redeemer that Jewish prophesies  announced as the Messiah  to come even he was not properly recognized or  received. His mission was to remove sin from humankind and to bring peace, joy and justice on earth. It was done and finished at the cross. His ongoing mission is to establish that peace and joy and justice through the ruling of God’s Kingdom on each heart. The Bible never used the term happiness, not even once. However, the concept of happiness is often conveyed through other terms such as “blessedness” or “joy.”  For instance, in the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew or in Paul’s writings to Early Church.

• Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV): “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Philippians 4:4 (NIV): “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

While “happiness” is not  explicitly mentioned, the Bible contains many verses that encourage joy, contentment, and a blessed life, not only as a product of Redemption but also as byproduct of a relationship of interdependence with God. We cannot produce it by our own means alone. Even when we try so hard. It cannot be only a humanistic approach, it must come internally through transformational grace and interconnectedness with Christ, the True Way of Life.

How Joy is produced? Is a matter of cognitive faith. Jesus the Christ, said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.   “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble (even suffering). But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV).

The Bible acknowledges that:

1. Suffering is a part of the human experience, is real but God is present with us. Psalm 34:18 (NIV): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 
2. Suffering can have a purpose, such as building character or faith, Romans 5:3-5 (NIV).
3. Suffering has an end, too. Revelation 21:4 (NIV): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

A beautiful song brought by Luis Salguero. Luis SayLuz: Tengo una Esperanza_ Cancion.

What Christians find in Christ is joy everlasting that comes in a state of wellbeing in abundant life that goes beyond material possessions. A way to Peace like this world cannot offer through a redemptive spiritual covenant of blood that removes all kinds of punishment.

Why is so hard for humanity to grasp all this?  Remember my picture in the kitchen?  How doing one thing every day that makes me happy, will make me happy? We are “wired” to  seek “the external” to satisfy our “internal.” When we brake “the rule” we experience dissatisfaction. But When we do “internal good” to ourselves and mainly to others as God commands, we achieve a state of happiness conducive to everlasting joy.

Are you Happy? Are you looking for others to make you Happy? How do you achieve your state of Happiness?

1. You are welcome! Thank you for reading, I am honored that you liked it and comment. Blessings

2. Thanks for this sister Anna, it was an amazing read! 📚

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