Movement launches with free hugs and love
13 Apr 2011 | Guardian
As drivers angrily beeped their horns and cyclists weaved
impatiently through London's traffic, Amandeep Hothi stood cheerily
on the pavement holding aloft a sign offering, in pink letters,
"Free Hugs".
Hothi is part of a new group called Action for Happiness, whose
members aim to boost the net amount of joy in the world by being
kind to others and countering "an epidemic of loneliness and
isolation".
The movement was launched yesterday at Jerwood Hall in the City
of London, where the movement's co-founder told attendees - who
wore badges with slogans such as "Love more!" and "I'm up for more
happiness!" - that they could "turn the rising tide of excessive
individualism".
"Despite the fact that we are getting richer, after 60 years we
still haven't managed to produce a happier society," said Professor
Richard Layard, head of the wellbeing programme at the London
School of Economics. "We are asking people for an individual
commitment to aim to produce more happiness and less misery.
"The time is right. There is a worldwide hunger for something
better, and we believe we can harness it," he added.
The movement's supporters say it is not just about fluffy
slogans or interfering do-gooders. Founded last year, it requires
members, who can sign up via a website, to set up action groups to
promote happiness wherever possible: at work, at home or in the
community.
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Tags:
Do things for others, Be part of something bigger, At work, Family & friends, Local community, Be a Happiness Activist