I watched a program about the 2024 “World Happiness Report.” The U.S. ranked # 23… with Finland #1, Denmark #2 and Iceland #3. Ukraine ranked #105 after being invaded by Russia. It was a sobering assessment that made me think about my own level of happiness. Obviously there are a myriad of factors which contribute to our own happiness which include: our physical and mental health, social relationships, gratitude, and temperament. Of course numerous other things can be added to the mix.

Many happiness lists include…“money.” Sure, it helps in many ways, especially if you don’t have a support system. I wonder how happy Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk really are?

I reflect back to memories of my mother. She had to work very hard to keep the roof on our heads and well fed. She would come home after a hard shift on her feet, tired, a little stressed…but through it all she always had a smile on her face and helped us feel safe.

The world map above shows how each country did on the report.

Click on the video above to see how the report was made.

A report which was quite disturbing was how the U.S. ranked for young people under 30.

Many factors come into play here. We can’t discount the negatives of social media and cell phone use.

A big event in 2024 affecting the happiness of millions of people is the presidential election. I will be VERY HAPPY if we DO NOT elect the person who has repeatedly demonstrated he is a serial liar, an abuser of power who relentlessly tried to undermine the 2020 election, and helped incite a horrifying and violent insurrection on January 6. This is a person who has often displayed abject racist, bigoted, sexist, and homophobic behavior. We cannot tolerate a person who continually calls for violence against people he disagrees with. Our democracy is too sacred to elect someone who tears it down on whim.

Being with Marla makes me supremely happy! I know how fortunate I am! She is a “charming gardener who makes my soul blossom.”

Being in the outdoors makes me extremely happy!

Reading is one of my major happiness generators!

You can improve your happiness by going out and exploring. Go outside, go to a museum or an event, a concert, picnic, hikes or walks, or try a new class such as, Pilates, Painting, or Cooking. Get creative!

I love museums!

Connection is a major ingredient for happiness. Make the effort to see a family member or an old friend.

Connect and interact with people who are…smarter than you. All three of these people bring so much to my happiness equation!

Quit listening to people or media who reduce your happiness by their divisiveness. At least turn the knob down.

Going for a ride makes me very happy!

Happiness for me is walking barefoot on a beautiful beach!

Hobbies are great for ramping up your happiness. I have a lot of interests and photography is one of my longstanding hobbies.

We all have our own unique passions for happiness. I include the happy excitement I will receive from watching Olympic trials on television in Track and Field, Swimming, etc., then a week in person at the Olympics later in the summer.

And…literally billions of people worldwide will be HAPPILY watching the Olympic Games from Paris.

Well, it’s time to blast off and see the world. Happiness is coming along with me!

May HAPPINESS be always with you on your journey of life.

Photos: Dick Gentry, CNN, Gallup World Poll. Not to be used without permission.