Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
The 2017 World Happiness Report (a landmark survey of the state of global happiness) has been released, with Norway trumping Denmark as the happiest country on earth, after it was last year ranked as the happiest nation on earth for the third time since 2013.
Australia also featured in the top 10 - in the ninth position, just in front of Sweden, for the second year running. The other countries featured in this year's top 10 include Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, The Netherlands, Canada and New Zealand.
Italy meanwhile features all the way in 48th place. Check out the other top ranking countries below. The figure is made up of a combination of factors including GDP per capita, social support available, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices and generosity.
The United Nations World Happiness initiative explains that: "The reports review the state of happiness in the world today and show how the new science of happiness explains personal and national variations in happiness.
Source: United Nations
"They reflect a new worldwide demand for more attention to happiness as a criteria for government policy".
Happiness Day is a day to be happy. What better way to enjoy it that with a song, a book, a movie, a poem and a painting - all about happiness, to celebrate?
Song - Happy by Pharrell Williams
Of course, it wouldn't be Happiness day without tapping your toes along to this classic. Written, produced and performed by American singer Pharrell Williams, it was the most successful song of 2014, with 13.9 million units (sales plus equivalent streams) worldwide. Its music video won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
Lyrics:
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Book - The Little Price by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a French poet, writer and pioneering aviator, it was first published in 1943. Translated into more than 250 languages, it has become one of the best-selling books ever published.
Friendships are the most important sources of happiness in The Little Prince.
"It would have been better to come back at the same hour,” said the fox. “If, for example, you came at four o’clock in the afternoon, then at three o’clock I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances. At four o’clock, I shall already be worrying and jumping about. I shall show you how happy I am! But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour my heart is to be ready to greet you... One must observe the proper rites..."
Movie - Fried Green Tomatoes by Jon Avnet
This is a 1991 comedy-drama film based on the novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. It celebrates friendship for how it improves happiness by both doubling the joys of life, and dividing the grief.
"I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends".
Poem - Sensation by Arthur Rimbaud
Written in March 1870 by French poet Arthur Rimbaud, well known for his influence on modern literature and arts.
Translation by A. S. Kline:
Through the blue summer days, I shall travel all the ways,
Pricked by the ears of maize, trampling the dew:
A dreamer, I will gaze, as underfoot the coolness plays.
I’ll let the evening breeze drench my head anew.
I shall say – not a thing: I shall think – not a thing:
But an infinite love will swell in my soul,
And far off I shall go, a bohemian,
Through Nature – as happy, as if I had a girl.
Painting - The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
Painted by iconic Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt between 1907-08, The painting is now in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum in Vienna, and is widely considered a masterpiece of the early modern period and Klimt's most popular work.
In this painting happiness comes from love and intimacy. The lovers are locked in the kiss while the rest of the painting dissolves.
