A Guest Blog for International Day of Happiness by Cheryl Rickman

March 20 is International Day of Happiness and this year's theme is “Happier Together”, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. In The Happiness Bible, wellbeing author Cheryl Rickman explores what we can do to widen and deepen our connection with each other.

Community Matters

Today, with social media becoming all-consuming, we are more connected than we have ever been, in a virtual sense; but in reality, studies have revealed that many people still feel alone. All the more reason to make an effort to increase real-world connections. As well as forging strong bonds with those we are especially fond of, it’s important to build “bridging connections” to unite different groups within a community.

You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate all the things that make the country of St Patrick so great.

From the breathtaking scenery to the world-renowned literature to the culinary delights of Guinness, soda bread, stews, and oysters, there’s plenty to celebrate on St Patrick’s Day.

Whether you’re headed to a céilí this weekend or just looking for some baking inspiration, these easy to make chocolate cupcakes from The Clueless Baker will provide some Celtic cheer for your St Paddy’s celebration.

Plus they go great with an Irish coffee. Sláinte!

March 8th is International Women's Day, a day with a history as fascinating and unique as the women it celebrates.

The first Women's Day celebrations took place in 1909 in New York City, at the suggestion of American labour activist and suffragist Theresa Malkiel, and in 1910 an annual Women's Day was proposed at the International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1911, over a million people across Denmark, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland celebrated International Women's Day.

Soviet Russia was the first country to recognize the day as a national holiday in 1917, after women's suffrage demonstrations triggered the beginning of the Russian Revolution. 

Leon Trotsky wrote of that day that "meetings and actions were foreseen. But we did not imagine that this 'Women's Day' would inaugurate the revolution... But in the morning, despite the orders to the contrary [women] textile workers left their work in several factories and sent delegates to ask for support of the strike... which led to mass strike." One week later, the Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, abdicated and the provisional government granted women the right to vote.