Happiness is made simple in the UAE

Should happiness be taken seriously? It should be, for it is an unalienable pursuit that all individuals strive for. After all, the essence of human life isn’t just surviving but thriving, too. But what makes it so important is the fact that happiness is virtually is a springboard to other important things in life. Happier workplaces, for instance, are known to be more productive and innovative. Happier countries are more tolerant and progressive. Which is why, the importance of this much-cherished virtue isn’t lost on global bodies or governments. Since 2013, the United Nations has dedicated March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. Several countries take part and have taken cues to do more on this front. In recent years, France, Canada and Britain, for example, have added measures of citizen happiness to their official national statistics. Japan and Italy, too, are doing their bit to know how happy their residents are. Arguably, the UAE has taken a lead by installing a ministry dedicated to happiness.

There is an understanding that unhappy societies are breeding grounds for poverty, contempt, violence and crime. It is a vicious cycle, and one that can only be broken by effective policy making. Being the world’s fastest, strongest, or largest, or for that matter holding any record doesn’t guarantee happiness. In happiness economics, this is often referred as the Easterlin paradox. Yes, such records instill pride but that isn’t enough. Happiness of nations lies in political, social and economic harmony. People find happiness in little joys of life, in their ability to focus on things that matter to them, rather than fighting for the basic needs or survival. There aren’t any magic tricks that’ll open the sluice gates of happiness for countries, but conscious policy making surely would. Access to good health and education for all are big virtues of happy societies. Perhaps, countries can take cues from the UAE where multinational community is thriving, and enjoying a happy life. Happiness is truly being made simple in the UAE.