Friday, March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026: SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day

The Spring Equinox marks a moment of poised balance and renewal, urging us to awaken potential and embrace new beginnings with clarity and purpose.
As the day and night stand equal, the Equinox exemplifies nature’s quiet equilibrium, and a great reminder that growth and transformation occur within cycles of balance. In this interval, we are invited to shed the inertia accumulated over the winter, and begin nurturing our projects and dreams like seeds awaiting the sun.
May we each be able to allow this season to inspire deliberate action, such as: attending to inner life with care, cultivating patience and permitting new opportunities to unfold naturally. Just as the earth awakens in gradual, measured rhythms, our own progress thrives when aligned with natural timing. The Equinox teaches us that transformation is neither sudden nor forced, but rather it is a steady development, guided by attention, intention and sincerity extended to the changing light.
“Spring awakens the soul, like a song that stirs the heart, reminding us that we are alive.”
Short scientific background on SPRING EQUINOX:
“Spring Equinox” is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, when the day and night are almost of an equal length, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere; this is commonly regarded as the instant of time when the plane (extended indefinitely in all directions) of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun. This is one of the four seasonal turning points, when the strength of the old goes into the new as the power of life blossoms with grace while Nature springs again to LIFE.

On March 20, 2026, the entire world is also observing the International Day of Happiness,
 and this year’s theme is:
Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.
On this International Happiness Day, it is vital to recognize that happiness is not merely an ephemeral emotion, but rather a measurable condition of well-being that permeates individual and societal functioning. Empirical studies in psychology and neuroscience consistently demonstrate that positivity correlates with enhanced cognitive performance, resilience and social cohesion. Pursuing happiness, therefore, is not an indulgence ... it is a rational investment in the quality of our lives and the communities we inhabit. As we cultivate gratitude, meaningful connections and purposeful engagement, we generate conditions that sustain durable contentment. Let this day serve as a reminder that happiness thrives where awareness and intention intersect: when we actively choose practices that strengthen empathy, foster cooperation and promote mental and physical health. By treating the pursuit of happiness as both an ethical and pragmatic endeavor, we affirm that personal fulfillment and societal well-being are inextricably linked.
"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
My previous posts on the same themes: 
SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Alice’s Book Club – WINTER session of 2026

Before the current winter is completely over in our part of the world, on Thursday (March 19’26) I organized my first book club of the year (the winter session of 2026)together with my group selecting the book we will discuss next, followed by an effective brainstorming regarding other educational subjects, which we might like to touch on during our future gatherings. Lovely company, uplifting energy and a wealth of fantastic ideas made this meeting truly awesome….stay close to us to learn more about our reading “adventures”, as well as the new concepts I will implement in a timely fashion.

On the other hand, while at this page, I would like to quickly refresh few valuable points scholars usually emphasize in their papers about the benefits of reading
(in essence, why it helps to read at least a bit every day):
- Reading books allow readers to gain better insights into human nature (you could gain interesting and helpful knowledge that never can be taken away from you)
- Readers become more sensitive to the emotions of other people, quality which seems to disappear in today’s world
- Good literature of any language improve and expand the comprehension skills; also, at the same time, by considering all the aspects involved, you could become even more versed with your critical and analytical thinking (the more skills you have, the better equipped you are to face the challenges that sometimes life might present)Additionally, a well written novel could 'transport' you to different places, while an engaging article might distract or keep you in the present moment allowing relaxation to occur. 
- A book always stimulates the brain (amazingly enough, through reading new brain pathways are created and the existing ones become even stronger, facts that assist with the short-term memory recalls as well as mood stabilization).  

As usual, my most sincere appreciation to those who honored my invitation! Until we meet again, my best regards to all for a beautiful spring to come!
Alice 
“READING – that place where you’re by yourself, but you are never alone.”