{"id":2270,"date":"2020-05-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/staffdevelopment\/?p=2270"},"modified":"2020-05-05T09:01:39","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T08:01:39","slug":"spread-a-little-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/staffdevelopment\/spread-a-little-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Spread a little happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Happiness is an oft maligned term – too idealist, too vague, too twee for some. I’m rather fond if it myself, that idea of a cheerful state of being. In my mind it’s a step back from passion, elation or resounding joy, those more hedonic emotions that I flirt with occasionally, and sits in a eudemonic state of contentment and wellbeing. My happy place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Philosophers far greater than I could extend this discussion, and if you wanted to read more you might like to look at the Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy<\/a>, or for a broad selection of thought try Wikipedia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you are of a more practical mindset could I point you to Action for Happiness<\/a>? With Lord Richard Layard<\/a> as its co-founder and the Dalai Lama<\/a> as its Patron, it’s a charity of note and widespread influence. It’s motto is simple: “Spread Happiness”, and the website is stuffed full of resources and ideas to help us all do just that. Colleagues in my department will know I am fond of their monthly calendars<\/a> which adorn our office fridge, when we are there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don’t get me wrong – I have no desire to live in a world full of people blindly grinning; we need the shadow to appreciate the light. However, at a time when the world is cast in shadow, holding on to the light gives us a reason to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s to happy times people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juliet Flynn, Organisational and People Development<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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