Wednesday, July 28, 2010

shiny happy people

According to this feature from Forbes on MSN, I can happily report that I am living in one of the happiest countries in the world. With Costa Rica taking the top spot for happiness and Panama following in the number three spot, Canada was awarded silver as the second happiest country within the Americas and I think that gives all us Canucks a little something extra to smile about. Add to it the fact that my country is sandwiched between two tropical tourist destinations and it sure does make me proud to be living where I am.


While I don’t live in the happiest city in Canada - that award has gone to Montreal, having been ranked number two by Lonely Planet – I do have to agree with Lonely Planet’s US Travel Editor, Robert Reid. He says “...you can find happiness anywhere you go...” and I’m positive he’s right! If you ask me, happiness is subjective. It means different things to different people for different reasons so to claim that my city may be happier then yours seems only to be a matter of opinion. I enjoy where I live, I enjoy the people around me and I truly enjoy my life. But I think that there are hundreds of places that I could live that would provide the same level of happiness that I experience in my current city. I think my happiness has more to do with what I make of my surroundings than the actual city, or country, itself. I’m sure if we all ranked the places we’ve been in terms of what city made us smile the most or what country we thought was the happiest, we’d be giving out awards to a lot of different destinations. Either way, I’m going to keep smiling…not only because Canada is a happy country but, more importantly, because I have lots to be happy about.

Do you live in a happy city? How do you measure happiness?

9 comments:

jenn from midlife modern said...

I definitely do not live in a happy city! I'm in New York which was ranked DEAD LAST in one of those recent happy city polls. But that's okay...I"m happy here!!

Thanks for visiting my blog and for your sweet comment:)

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I totally agree that Canada is a happy country. Well at least from my perspective. I absolutely love Canada and visit as often as I can. Lucky girl for living there!

Diana Mieczan said...

Wow...that is so cool..I bet that Canada is a happy counrty:) Love that photo:) Kisses,sweetie

Holly Knitlightly said...

Wooooooo! GO CANADA! :) Montreal has got to be one of my favourite Canadian cities, too! I've only been out east though, I still have to go out west! Maybe this winter..? I hope!

Thanks for checking out my blog! I'm following yours now! :)

Melissa Blake said...

I haven't been to Canada in years...maybe this is a reason to go back!

Anonymous said...

I"ve never been to Canada, but my sister's roommate is from there! I'd love to go sometime :)

OneCraftyFox said...

Luv your Jump For Joy post over at the Dancing Branflake blog :)

I measure happiness by how easy it is for me to spontaneously start dancing while I work, lol!

Happy weekend :)

Lynzy said...

Just stumbled onto your blog from the BonBon Rose Girls site! Loving it so far <3

xo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

Catita said...

Ha!!! I am from Montreal!!! Ah man I miss my native city ;) I've moved to Amsterdam a while ago but with all intentions of moving back to my lovely Montreal, no wonders its the happiest place in Canada. I agree!!
Catita
http://catindreamland.blogspot.com/