In the wake of our statement to Bristol City Council last week announcing our intention to showcase Bristol as a Global Leader in Happiness within the next two years, it’s interesting to look at Seattle’s first stab at measuring happiness.  Sadly, a good article is spoiled by the final quote, which makes the common mistake of confusing happiness with pleasure.  If we’re not addressing social and environmental issues, we’re not properly addressing Happiness.

We’re polishing up the content and materials for the Happiness Habits programme (aimed mainly at individuals) with Miriam Akhtar and aim to launch it for the public in the new year.  We’re already recruiting for the Happiness Challenge, designed to improve productivity, problem solving, creativity, and team working (whilst reducing stress and absenteeism) to start on January 25th. The first Challenge group is already looking very good, and places are limited, so call as soon as you can if you’d like to take part.  Mike is on 07836 706978.

We’ve had a string of international applicants offering to volunteer, which is a welcome surprise.  As most people can only give us a few hours here and there, we’re still hunting for more help.  We’re especially keen to hear from designers with time to come into the office and help with bite sized jobs to produce materials in support of our various activities.  One of these is the design of our annual report, which we aim to produce by the first week of January for all our funders and supporters. 

The Happy City Initiative is dedicated to the celebration, promotion, encouragement and support of all things which increase our collective happiness.  Our operation is 99% voluntary, so if you find any joy and value in what we do and you have a comfortable income, please consider a modest donation. 

That’s all for this month, but before we go, here are some nutritional November Spots

Local Spots on Totally Locally, a website much in sympathy with the ideas behind the People’s Supermarket in Stokes Croft.

Spot of future casting in the Bristol Genius Programme on 3rd December, when John Savage speaks about business vision for Bristol in 2050. An associated film Make No Little Plans  is on at Arnolfini on 4th December, describing visionary development of Chicago.

 China’s Happy Spots areapparently Hangzhou, which topped the ‘happiest city’ charts for three years running, and Guiyang where the Mayor has just released the results of their first ‘public happiness index’. 

Spot of Happiness at work ina briefarticlefrom Forbesmagazine underlining the connection between happiness and career advancement

Crafty Spot at The Folk House on 4th December when people are invited to learn how to make gifts and decorations for a low cost, home-made Christmas.

Spot a trend in the number of stories featuring happiness. In July 2010, our Google Alerts were picking up 10 a week – today we’re seeing an average of 50/week.

Last Spot for the Pierian Centre, which celebrates 10 years of remarkable work on 6th December before closing its doorsfor thelast time. Join us there for workshops, exhibitions, poetry, music and more..