Monday, they say, was the happiest day of the year. According to the web that collects all the world celebrations, June 20^th is a date for happiness. Supposedly, this is based on analysis of the emotions of thousands of people during this specific day, and is endorsed by meteorologists and psychologists.

In English, it’s called Yellow Day, because, the article published on the digital page diainternaciolade.com asserts that "according to color psychology, the yellow characterizes this special day symbolizing happiness, optimism, positivism, fun, intelligence, and creativity.

Among the arguments for selecting this date, the proximity of holidays and the coming of summer are on top of the list. The text suggests celebrating it with a walk on the beach, a family meal or a reunion of friends.

In the photo, a field of sunflowers and open arms summarize the spirit of that day , if we think about, it could be anyone, preferably everyone. What prevents it? Many times, our verynotion of happiness.

What is happiness? “It’s an attitude towards life. There are people who don’t know how to be happy, they have everything and can’t enjoy it, they live in suffering for what they lack", reflected a friend who undergoes a rough patch, but she assures that she is "handling happiness, because it does not depend on anyone or anything, only yourself, and I won’t let it get snatched from me».

Her definition and that of the dictionary are quite close:

1. State of mind of the person who feels fully satisfied to enjoy what he wants or to enjoy something good. "Happiness was the ultimate goal of the human being, and wealth (that is, free, individual and absolute property), its main principle."

2. Thing, circumstance or event that produces that state. "I could not imagine such great happiness to achieve it."

And if it's that easy, why aren't so many people happy? Studies from psychology consider that, many times, it has to do with lack of meaning in our lives. Failing to set a goal or purpose for which to move forward can make us feel unhappy.

"Sometimes I'm sad, but I'm always happy," says my friend, and although it seems a paradox, it isn't necessarily.

I found this opinion while she was asking Google if it’s indeed possible to be sad and happy:

«For the simple reason that existingand being are different actions. When you talk about being happy, you mean those things that give meaning to your life, the result of the sum of many lessons that have nothing to do with what happens to you or what doesn't happen to you».

With my friend, the conversation about happiness took place on Salud street in Centro Habana. We were walking towards Caridad del Cobre Church, because this Monday was one of those days when my friend felt sad, but she didn’t give up being happy, so she bought sunflowers to ask the Virgin of Joy to preserve her notion of happiness, that which keeps her safe from the excessive heat of this Cuban June 20^th and from all the demons that make faces at everyday life. Sunflowers with faith so one doesn’t forget to be happy.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff