Holidays For Happiness

By BRISTOW ADAMS

Professor Emeritus Cornell University and Editor The Cornell Plantations

(Journal of Calendar Reform, Vol. 25, March 1955, page 56)

WORLDSDAY, a new world holiday, the only such day in the calendar—for even New Year’s Day is celebrated on different days by different peoples—is provided by the proposed standardization of the calendar, and advocated by the Journal of Calendar Reform.

The advantages of The World Calendar to every form of human endeavor have been extolled for a quarter of a century. The cogent reasons have been presented by scientists, by bankers, by horologists (time measurers and time keepers), legislators, transportation interests, technicians, mathematicians, astronomers and other workers without end.

As only a typical, commonplace sort of individual, somewhat disturbed by a world that is obsessed by a feeling of insecurity, of unrest, of possible impending disaster, of a prevalence of vandalism—even of crime—and a pervading sense of local, national, and international neurasthenia, it seems to me that anything which offers a special reason for happiness deserves commendation.

A rational standardization of the recording of time—The World Calendar—offers two days, one at the end of December every year and another at the end of June every fourth year. These days do not celebrate any event such as the birthday of a world figure nor the end of a war, nor the recognition of a group, nor a sense of gratitude for benefits received; they indicate merely the passage of time.

Why not, then, consecrate these days to holidays for happiness—happiness to be celebrated in any way that an individual or a family may choose. It may be for pleasure to be had in rest or recreation, in a contemplation of the good things of life—good news, let’s say, or an indulgence in optimism, and a hope for more advantages to follow, or more chances to serve for the good of others.

Only one day a year; another day once in four years? Yet if a Worldsday were consecrated to the good of One World, there might follow a belief that optimism counteracts some of our thoughts of pessimism—at least for a moment. Might it not establish a more optimistic habit of thought during other and longer moments?

There would be no harm in trying such an idea. “A little leaven leaveneth whole lump.”

Links to this document:

www.TheWorldCalendar.org/HolidaysForHappiness.pdf

www.TheWorldCalendar.org/HolidaysForHappiness.htm

E-mail to: TWCA@TheWorldCalendar.org

Rev. 8 August 2009