The happiest places on earth

If you research the country with the happiest people, Finland continues to place at the top of the list. The contributors to this are strong social bonds, trust, public welfare, connection with nature, and cultural resilience. They also score high in their approach to education. Having visited a number of Nordic countries, I have seen direct evidence of this. Citizens of these countries demonstrate their happiness to everyone they meet. Not only did I notice this in Finland, but I saw the same in Norway when I visited there last year. While having breakfast in our hotel, I watched employees enter the workplace to be greeted by hugs from fellow workers. These were genuine on their part. I asked our server about this and she confirmed that their standard of living supports this way of life. Happiness is a way of life for them. There is a feeling of being welcomed and valued. At least this is how it looks to an outsider. Smiles are everywhere. Happiness is contagious. I wonder what it would take for this to spread throughout the world. Imagine the difference it would make if spreading happiness was everyone’s goal. What can you do to make the entire planet the happiest place on earth?

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