THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS [30 JAN 2017]

| January 30, 2017

Pictured above: Inalienable rights

HAPPINESS FACTOR AS A FUNCTION OF WEATHER: 6

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IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

"We must intensify our efforts to achieve a new course, one that ensures poor countries have the right to develop, and all countries have the right to happiness, while simultaneously curbing the human-induced destruction of the environment."

According to recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability, a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established. and adopted by UN member states at the 2012 Rio Summit.

The Sustainable Development Goals should have four pillars:

End extreme Poverty
Environmental Sustainability
Social inclusion
Good governance

Okay.....this is pretty dry stuff, but as I said last week, we're going to look at Happiness and these days, perhaps some of you out there will agree, we need to find our happiness where we can. So hang in there and let's just look at the last two pillars in a bit more detail:

The third pillar should be social inclusion, the commitment of every society that the benefits of technology, economic progress, and good governance should be accessible to everybody, women as well as men, minority groups as well as the majority. Happiness must not be the preserve of a dominant group. The goal should be happiness for all.
The fourth pillar should be good governance, the ability of society to act collectively through truly participatory political institutions. Good governance is not only a means to an end, but also an end in itself, since good governance signifes the ability of people to help shape their own lives and to reap the happiness that comes with political participation and freedom.

Incidentally, this is from the first World Happiness Report in 2012. Maybe it's time to give a little more thought to the subjects of inclusion and good governance as potential sources of happiness.Take a pulse...how happy have you been feeling this past week?

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ALTERNATE ROUTES WORTH CONSIDERING:

Tomorrow, January 31st is Anti-Racism Day at the Legislature (and for the record, Wednesday is the beginning of Black History month). Youth between the ages of 12 and 25 are going to present written stories and artwork addressing the topic of "How Racism has affected me."

And later in February, schoolchildren throughout NM will be asked to think about the word Race. How they distill their thoughts, experiences or observations about race into one sentence that only has six words?

That’s right. One sentence. Six words. Want to give it a try? I came up with STOP IT - We are all one. ( Not fab, but it did make me feel better.)

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HERE'S THE BIG KAHUNA:

You don't have to do this. But in the privacy of your own home you might consider it - or at least reading through it. Note to Diary: You can't be inclusive if you're racist.

Don't be scared - it's been said that all of us, even those with the purest hearts and the best intentions, have got a little bit of racism socked away. Change begins with a wish. Add some self-reflection, a little knowledge and you might be on the road to HAPPINESS.

In the meantime: TAKE THE PLEDGE:

Backdoor to Happiness Tip: You can't hate and be happy at the same time. (Buddha)

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This is a no-brainer. Supporting our National Parks will definitely make you feel better. I'd even go so far as saying it will make you HAPPY. It's the 21st Century equivalent of

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THE HAPPY CONSUMER

True, it's not "out there" but rather it's within us where happiness lies....HOWEVER, if you're not there yet, you have other options:

Who says "You can't have your Coq (au Vin) and save money too?" I found this little beauty (6 qt) at Macy's Jan 25th Super Sale last week - with tax, $73.05

When compared to the 5.5 qt Le Creuset at $320, on Friday my happiness quota hit a recent high. Here's the good news - they are still on sale, not quite as much of a super buy, but a huge bargain at $80 plus tax. Plus: the Martha Stewart ceramic and cast iron Dutch Oven is a much prettier red.

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HAPPY FACES / HAPPY PLACES

2016 Winner

Hint: