Cynthia Bond Hopson

Don’t Worry, Be Happy This Month

Happy Women

Share This Post

Don’t Worry, Be Happy This Month

August is Happiness Happens Month, so don’t worry, be happy

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and every day, on purpose, I choose to be as happy as I can stand. This Abraham Lincoln quote makes perfect sense, but who knew someone would declare a month to celebrate what makes us happy?

In 2015, the United Methodist Women did a study on happiness and God’s role in it and asked me to write the front half of the book. As a happy person, I literally danced on the ceiling until I realized that defining happiness and living happily were two different animals. (After writing my half, I swore to never write a half a book again but that’s a story for another day.)

After examining happiness closely and trying to define the difference between joy and happiness—one’s internal—the other depends on factors we don’t always control–I discovered being happy was more complex than I thought.

Nevertheless, August is Happiness Happens Month, and when happiness does happen, it’s a beautiful and amazing thing. According to the www.dpair.com website, happiness is “unlimited and contagious, and sharing your happiness can bring joy to other people’s lives.” Again, it makes perfect sense—it’s hard to be mean and nasty to someone who’s undaunted by being caught in a downpour with a flat tire or missing the last piece of warm pecan pie.

Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Secret Society of Happy People in 1999, with the first day of “Admit You’re Happy Day” on August 8th of 1999. The Society soon discovered that more than a day would be needed to adequately celebrate happiness, thus we get an entire month.

What makes you happy? Most of us don’t dissect it—we either are or are not. Sometimes happiness happens to us—a phone call from a friend, a mushy note or check arrives, and sometimes we cause it to happen by doing any of the abovementioned things. One day while shopping (one of the things that makes me happy) I found a plaque that said “Do more of what makes you happy,” and I bought several and strategically placed them so I’d remember to  do this every day.

With COVID-19 raging, there is anxiety around sending our children back to school, wearing masks, socially distancing, eating in restaurants, working from home, becoming ill, unemployment, evictions, upcoming elections—almost everything, and yet, National Happiness Happens Month reminds us to celebrate. Consider my three favorites:

Pump up the volume. Music is a perfect day brightener and new or old favorites will do the trick. After the death of Congressman John Lewis a video circulated of him dancing to the Pharrell Williams tune “Happy” at a campaign rally. He was a great dancer and I loved seeing his human side. I grew up watching Alvin, Simon and Theodore, the Chipmunks, and while the singing’s not great, they always make me smile. One of my favorite radio stations asks listeners to sing the songs the way they do when they’re in the car alone.  All I can say is thank goodness they’re alone.

Lend a helping hand. Even with social distancing and staying apart, we can pick up groceries and medicines for the elderly and homebound while we’re out. We can make weekly phone calls and/or help with fundraisers for families facing hardships. Think about what you’d need and be creative.

Finally, offer a smile, or a positive word of encouragement.  Smiles beget smiles and add face value. Be blessed and make happiness happen this week.

What is your definition of happiness? Give a shout out at #drbondhopson on Twitter and Facebook!

Looking for inspiration, empowerment, uplift, straight talk, an encouraging word to brighten your day? You’ve arrived! Meet Dr. Cynthia Ann Bond Hopson, best-selling author, educator, inspirational speaker, sistergirl–she’s all that and more. Now listen to her new podcast, “Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life: The Journey from There To Here,” and meet her favorite family and friends as they share laughter and heartwarming life lessons. Look for it on this page or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Listen...

Commissioner Jeffery Richmond

This week on ‘Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life,’ we’re joined by Haywood County Tennessee District 8 Commissioner Jeffery Richmond. Hailing from the

Listen now »
Writing and Telling Stories for History’s Sake with Prof. Henri Giles

This week’s episode dives into the personal history of Professor Henrietta Giles and her experiences as a child at the heart of the desegregation movement

Listen now »

Promote your business!

Become a Sponsor
Three Stores,
Two Cotton Gins and
One Remarkable Life

Get your message out to thousands of listeners across the Jackson, Tennessee listening area on 94.7 WOJG FM each Sunday at 3pm CST.

Complete the form to the right to learn more.

Name