Monday, February 7, 2011

The Right to Expression....Happiness

Legislators in Brazil are about to vote
to make the “pursuit of happiness" a constitutional amendment.
The Happier Movement  (Movimento Mais Feliz)
is a non-governmental organization backing this legislation.
Its director stated,
"With the constitutional amendment, we want to provoke discussion,
to seek approval for the creation of conditions in which social rights are upheld." 


This is just before Brazil's huge party,
the famous Carnival, kicks off March 4, 2011.
The Right to Happiness will be something to celebrate!

Japan and South Korea already have the right to happiness in their constitutions.
And the 1776 U.S. Declaration of Independence upholds
"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Legislating happiness may be impossible to perform,
but the resulting discussion may make this government 
provide better social needs such as education, health, security, etc. 

48 comments:

Unknown said...

The pursuit of happiness, and the right to be happy, I believe, are inalienable rights. Philosophers have had many discussions about it, how happiness is one of the few things that all humans strive for. However, it is hard for a government, like any of the above mentioned, to ensure that everyone gets that chance.

Fernanda A said...

I believe happiness is the key to success. Being successful in life as a person.We all have a purpose in life and some of us haven’t found it yet. Some of us are looking for it,and some of us just don’t know how to begin looking for it.Putting on a smile can actually make you happy.I believe happiness is an overall outcome of many positive moments. When we experience positive emotions, we have more meaning in life.

michelle said...

many people think happiness is a destination, but its not. happiness is a mood that comes and goes when you let it. if people realize that we create happiness rather than searching for it, than i think there would find happiness more often.-Michelle

michelle said...

people would find<----


typo again, sorry!

:)

Luisa Isla said...

The Happier Movement should migrant to other countries. This would enable the government to provide social needs to fulfill everyones' happiness. This movement is just the next step into a better equipped and gracious world.

Anonymous said...

The pursuit of happiness is a natural right that every human being should have. But I also think that you can have an education, a job, a family and still not be happy.
Laura R.

Anonymous said...

We live in a world today in which chaos surrounds each and everyone of us everywhere. If the Right to Happiness, which I think we already possess, were to become part of Brazil's legislation, and bring about such changes, I would hope that every country thereafter would follow suit. D. B.

Luz Mery said...

The Right to Happiness is one that we all posses but with so many dissapointments in life that its not easy to find complete Happiness.

TrustMeImADoctor said...

Everyone has the right to be happy. Not everyone is pleased by the same things. One individual may love being around family, another might like swimming. So by doing what you love the most you may bring forth that feeling of joy, cheer, or satisfaction. I agree with Michelle happiness is not something you can find, you have to go out and try. That philosophy can be seen in this quote: "If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." ~Edith Wharton

cd884 said...

Every human being has the right to be happy in their own unique way. All of us have an unique way to be happy mine is to be with my loved ones. Many like to be alone. Either way they are happy and thats their right.

Esmeralda A said...

Happiness needs to be a right for everyone. No one should be denied happiness. Without happiness what would this world end with? Many unhappy people have alot of health issues, such as, depression,stress and anxiety. Therefore, everyone should be granted the right to happiness. EA

shiv said...

The pursuit of happiness is not something that will automatically come to you. It is not an award to be won. The pursuit of happiness is something that you create within yourself. No matter if you have all the money in the world, health or security, that does not guarantee happiness. Nothing guarantees happiness. You have to find it in order to feel it. We all have the right to happiness no matter if it is part of an amendment or not.

Anonymous said...

Every country should have that right added to their constitutions, especially third world countries where many children are starving to death...Zulima Alvarez

Anonymous said...

I do not think a country has to specify the right to happiness in the constitution but I think everyone has the right to happiness. It promotes a better lifestyle whether it includes health, education, or security. I try to start and end every day being happy. Whether or not Brazil includes the right to happiness in the constitution I think everyone should make an effort to fulfill their lives with enjoyment. -v.p.

Anonymous said...

I am Brazilian and I know how my country works, it is not an amendment that is going to increase or decrease the happiness of our people. Brazilians are always happy, they always trying to pursuit happiness even if their life is not so great. In my opinion it is not the government that is going to influence the happiness of people. Happiness is a right everyone has and only the person itself can make it happen it doesn't matter what country they are from.

Anonymous said...

I think the right of happiness i something that everbody is entitled to as long as it does not effect other people in a negative way.

Ingrid J. said...

I agree that everyone has a right to happiness, but why does it have to be a part of a country's constitution? It is natural to want to be happy once you are a human being. Happiness can be short-lived, so along with some happiness we should strive to be content.

Janet Almonte said...

The right to happiness can be a right that is specific to the individual meaning whats good for someone is not necessarily even important to the other. However, in our country the majority do seek better education, health and security. I believe that happiness is something that needs to be looked for on our own no matter what the circumstances. There are also those who do have everything and still have no happiness. To seek hapiness and count on someone else just does not make any sense to me.

Janet

Anonymous said...

I believe happiness is the key to spirtual and emotional well being. happiness allows us not to get physically or mentally ill.

f.c.

Espy said...

Everyone's definition of happiness is different. The government can't cater to everyone's needs, so in my opinion, happiness has to be created personally.

Anonymous said...

The American Constitution calls for this right. Therefore I totally agreed on this particular stand. I have looking for many years and, I am still looking for it.

Anonymous said...

As individuals we have to persue our own happiness. We all have the right to be happy. We are only sad if we allow ourselves to be sad.

Pedro Leon said...

The (Movimento Mais Feliz) is creating an amendment in the Brazilian constitution for happiness to be included as a right. This organization wants a constitutional reform and a change in social needs. P.L

Anonymous said...

Happiness is something no one can take from you. People choose the way they live their lives and it is up to you to surround yourself with others that make you happy.
Gaby R.

Unknown said...

There are so many people that believe they have the right to be happy, and that someone else should just give it to them. However, I am a beliver that true happiness comes from within and no one can give it to you. It is something that comes from inside from your achievements along with the freedom to think and act for yourself.

-Nicole Chaplin-

Anonymous said...

Definitely a right worth having. But I suppose I feel that this too is something that should never have been questioned in the first place. Being happy is probably our natural state originally, before all the nonsense that complicated society and the world.

Anonymous said...

Happy people are less aggressive, and more productive.
Aimara Ors

Anonymous said...

We all have the right to be happy, and to do the things that make us happy. Because we only live once we should try to make each and every moment a memorable one.
-D. Diaz

Rosa F. said...

I don't think happiness should be a right, but a duty. There's always someone else in the world who is worse than you are, so don't fret about the things that didn't go the way you wanted them to. Instead, try to change them for the better.
--Rosa F.

Lisa said...

Happiness comes from within, not given by government. I dont understand why someone would ask for a right to be happy. If you are not happy it is because you don't want to be. lp

Anonymous said...

I don’t think is necessary for a country to have as part of their constitution the pursuit of happiness. This is a right we all have and that nobody can take away from us. Every day we have to work towards achieving what make us happy.
GS

Anonymous said...

I am grateful that our Constitution includes the right to happiness so that each person who is protected by our Constitution has the personal freedom to make their own choices and pursue happiness. There are many countries in the world where people are denied this right.
Gabe

Anonymous said...

It is my belief that no one can truly define happiness because it varies with each person. When the Brazilian government decided to add this to their constitution, did more people started the pursuit of happiness? This is just something that sounds good; for the most part we all try to pursue happiness in our way. Gary Norris

Anonymous said...

If we dont have the right to happiness, then we all would walking around , all depressed. Nobody would like that in their life. if you think about it. The reason we do many of our daily tasks like going to school or going to work, it's because we want to live a better life and later on, be doing what makes us happy.
-Jeiner P.

RV said...

To me happiness is an attitude, is the way we see life, the way we face obstacles rather than the conditions around us.

Anonymous said...

I agree a hundred porcent with this article. Every human have the right to pursuit of happiness.
Claudia B.

Patricia Delgado said...

We all have the right to show our happiness, NO ONE should suppress everyone's contentment.
I speak for myself and I can say that I am always in a happy mood, I do not like when people are striving for negativity that brings unhappiness to life.

Anonymous said...

I always felt we have a right to be happy. However we have the responsibility to ourselves to ensure our own happiness. Happiness is something we create ourselves. It seems now a days people have a hard time finding their own happiness.
Ann Marie

Unknown said...

Happiness should never be compromised. Next, it should be embraced and loved. Happiness is a right just like any other right that can be permanently removed by a poor decision.

Anonymous said...

I think happiness is more than just a feeling, it's a decision you make daily. You have the option to remain happy regardless of your surroundings/situations/circumstances. Putting it on the constitution will not make or help people be happy or "pursue" it any more than they have, it's to their gain what they decide. -- KB

kevin0121 said...

Happiness is a persons decision. Everyone has their own meaning of happiness and putting it on the constitution wont help others see happiness.

Anonymous said...

We ALL deserve the right to be happy. Figuring out what would make us happy is the real quesion. Some people spend a lifetime to achieve/obtain what they think would bring them happiness, and in the end, are not truly happy.

Eddie M.

Miglaude said...

As every person, I want joy, happiness and life function. I can say happiness is not something that arrives to you. It is something you have to create. It is imprudent to depend on someone else to make you happy or help you discover your happiness. I like being happy, so I imagine it is the perfect right for human being.

Anonymous said...

The right to pursue happiness is one that should simply be accepted. As humans we strive to live our life in search or IN a level of happiness in order to feel like life is worth it. Life throws many curve balls which come accompanied by a multitude of feelings and different states of emotions, but if you really analyze everything we do...it ultimately pertains in achieving happiness: professionally, personally, socially, etc.

GIL RO

Anonymous said...

Happiness shouldn't have to be a constitutional amendment and shouldn't be a social but instead, personal right. It's an emotion and state of being. – D.T

Unknown said...

Happiness is a way to life. Happiness is a decision based on the feelings of an individual.

Jenny said...

I believe that happiness is something everyone is striving for in life. I also agree with KB, you choose to remain happy regardless of how your day is unfolding.

JR

aquintana said...

we all have the right to be happy, but we the right should be to create happiness, because we each seek and control our own happiness.