I am sure most everyone has seen this hashtag recently. I first saw it last fall, and I admit I didn’t think much about it. I thought it was similar to the annual November social media “Things I am thankful for ” blitz. Again, not giving it much thought, I kept seeing #100happydays on facebook, twttier, and most notably, on instagram. People I actually knew, and liked, were doing it! So, I decided to check it out.

It’s a real thing. I found http://100happydays.com and read about the details. The premise behind #100happydays is that people challenge themselves to find something to be happy about every day and snap a photo of it. Post the photo to social media using #100happydays. Participants win nothing, but they are able to search the hashtag and see what has made others happy that day. Participants also have a visual journal of their personal happiness?

Why participate? According to the 100happydays website, those who successfully complete the challenge start paying attention to what makes them happy, they become more optimistic, they are in a better mood every day, and they start to realize how lucky they are the have the life they have. All in all, an admirable goal. I see nothing wrong with the whole idea in theory, but it saddens me that there are people who need a social media campaign to realized how lucky they are.

For me, it’s the little things in life that make me happy and I can find little joys along the way. I always feel lucky to have a job that I love and one that affords me the time to enjoy my hobbies and to take on new challenges. I feel lucky that I have a family who loved me and genuinely cares about my well being. I am blessed with good friends and good acquaintances. I know who will be there for me when times are not so happy or who will be there when I want to go to happy hour.

I won’t be participating in #100happy days, because I aim for 365 happy days. But if it takes a social media campaign for people to take the time to count their blessings, I am all for it.