Exploring the meaning of “I Am Happiness on Earth”

I Am Happiness On Earth (2014) is a captivating and thought-provoking movie that provides an insight into the depths of human emotion, self-reflection, and relationships. Directed by Mexican filmmaker Julian Hernandez, this romantic drama follows the journey of a young protagonist named Emiliano, who struggles to reconcile his sexuality and identity with the expectations of today's society. Through this journey, he discovers a sense of liberation and ultimately learns to accept himself as he is.

The film's title, I Am Happiness On Earth, reflects its main character's transformation — that he can bring happiness and joy into his life simply by being himself. As Emiliano discovers his identity and self-expression, he is gradually accepted by those around him. His journey is comforting, inspiring, and a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance.

The film's thought-provoking themes bring together ideas of acceptance, love, belonging, and understanding — all vital elements of a fulfilling life. The story demonstrates how individuals can discover their true self through reflection, understanding, and self-love. It also serves as an important reminder for viewers to accept themselves and others for who they truly are.

Ultimately, I Am Happiness On Earth is a powerful film that explores the complex themes of identity, acceptance, sexual orientation, and relationships in an inspiring and thoughtful manner. By tackling these themes with sensitivity and nuance, the film encourages viewers to question their preconceptions as they explore the meaning of happiness on Earth.

What is happiness?

Happiness is an emotion that can be defined in many ways. Generally, it is associated with a feeling of contentment, joy, and well-being. It may be experienced due to life events, relationships, or everyday activities and interactions. Happiness can also refer to a sense of satisfaction with one's current circumstances — a feeling that life is good and one has achieved a meaningful purpose.

The importance of happiness for mental health cannot be overstated. A Harvard report indicates that happier people often lead healthier lives and experience better physical and mental health outcomes. Happiness can also defend against depression and anxiety, reduce stress, and create a positive outlook.

Our bodies are in flux, and our inner sense of happiness is the only constant. Toxic stress and other mental health challenges can have a severe impact, but an open mind and a positive attitude can greatly benefit us. We can cultivate greater happiness by focusing on the good and appreciating life's little moments.

As I Am Happiness On Earth explores the complexities of being human and the importance of self-acceptance, it serves as a reminder that true happiness is found within. The film encourages viewers to find inner joy by embracing their imperfections and loving even their darkest moments. Happiness is a journey that we can all take steps towards if we choose to focus on our goals and relationships and embrace the present moment.

How to cultivate happiness in your life

There's no limit or expiration date on happiness — it can be increased and cultivated at any age. However, as we age, we may need to work harder to find and maintain happiness as our relationships and circumstances change. This might include developing our skills of self-care and compassion.

Self-care includes activities such as eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and being mindful of our thoughts and feelings. A clinical study from 2021 reveals the relationship between self-care, stress, and well-being to be strongly linked. As negative psychological conditions can be detrimental to our mental health, trying to do things that make us feel good is a great way to boost happiness.

The neuroscience of happiness helps us to understand the biological processes that underlie our positive emotions. Certain brain regions and processes are associated with happiness, including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as our serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine levels. By understanding how these biological mechanisms work together to control our emotional states, we can gain insight into ways to enhance and sustain our feelings of joy.

For example, research indicates that exercise can help boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, releasing a sense of happiness and well-being. Similarly, participating in social activities such as spending time with friends increases oxytocin levels, linked to enhanced connection and trust.

In addition to self-care, self-compassion is key to cultivating contentment and joy. When facing hardship or disappointment, it's important to remember that we are not alone — rather, we are part of a larger community that understands and empathizes with our struggles. Practicing self-compassion involves being kind to ourselves, forgiving mistakes, and accepting that failure is essential to the learning process.

We can further increase our happiness by engaging in meaningful activities and pursuing goals that bring us purpose and satisfaction. Whether taking up a new hobby, volunteering in the community, or furthering our education, having a sense of purpose and direction can lead to greater feelings of fulfillment.

You can amplify your happiness levels by engaging in positive self-talk (PST) and practicing gratitude. Allowing ourselves to be kind to our thoughts and expressing gratitude for the here and now can help us focus on the good. Additionally, being mindful of our positive and negative emotions can help us identify areas in our lives that need work or attention. 

When we try to cherish life's little moments and make room for joy, we have the opportunity to move beyond our worries and anxieties. True happiness may be within reach, but you'll have to take the first step.

Happiness interventions and evidence

Researchers have developed a variety of interventions to help individuals increase their levels of happiness. Happiness Interventions, or Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), can be used to identify and cultivate positive emotions, such as joy, contentment, and enthusiasm.

In some studies, the effectiveness of PPIs has been demonstrated in individuals with a wide range of psychological and physical health concerns. Improvements in mental and physical health indicate some validity to happiness interventions. As the film shows us how to pursue happiness and well-being, PPIs can make it an achievable, maintainable goal.

If you want to incorporate some of these happiness interventions into your own life, here are a few to consider:

Mindfulness

Mindfulness can help us stay in the present moment and become aware of our thoughts and feelings. Being mindful allows us to accept difficult emotions without judgment or criticism, leading to greater self-compassion — which is key to cultivating happiness.

Gratitude

Taking a moment to express appreciation for the things and people in our lives can greatly improve our emotional well-being. Expressing gratitude daily is an excellent way to foster contentment and joy.

Journaling and reflection

Writing down our thoughts, feelings, and experiences can help us gain greater insight into our emotional states. We can use this practice to process difficult emotions and identify areas of our lives that we could benefit from improving or focusing on.

Positive affirmations and self-talk

Positive affirmations and self-talk are powerful tools for changing our thought patterns. Daily affirmations can help us stay connected to our goals and reframe negative thoughts into more empowering beliefs.

Ultimately, the evidence suggests that happiness interventions can be effective in helping individuals create joy when life throws us challenges. However, getting started without the right resources and tools can be difficult.

How online therapy can help you be happy

Online therapy can be a great way to explore different interventions, identify growth areas, and break down barriers. As a therapist guides you through evidence-based strategies, you'll have the opportunity to receive personalized resources and learn how to build resilience and foster contentment.

Clinical research suggests that a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology Interventions can effectively improve mental health and overall well-being. Attentional bias modification and emotional acceptance therapy through CBT can be helpful in both the short-term and long-term. When you learn to accept and manage your emotions, you can better identify and cultivate joy in your life.