Necessary Love and Happiness

By Suzzanne Pautler

Fiona Barron, dedicated to the ideals of optimism, positivity, and happiness, brought the Happiness Festival to Dubai this past weekend. She strives to create global change through happiness. The Happiness Festival highlights workshops in: yoga, calisthenics, expressive drawing, constructive communication, mindfulness and meditation, nutrition, calming strategies, growth mindset, positive parenting, work life balance, family bonding, and play therapy. We appreciate these topics and see their validity in transforming one's life towards authentic happiness. Necessary Arts (NA), who "seeks to stimulate minds through artistic expression," also supports the mission of the Happiness Festival

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The NA team, along with one dozen students, arrived at the Polo and Equestrian Club bright and early on Friday, 17th  February.  NA flags designed by Melinda Eversteyn were assembled and hung, a tent was pitched over the electronics, NA t-shirts were worn, and water bottles and snacks were on hand.  We were ready to teach our dance routine of Black Eyed Peas original version of "Where is the Love?" to the patrons of the festival.

Unbeknownst to the other festival goers, towards the end of the festival, the NA participants were planning to perform a flash mob in the center of the practice field.  We were enjoying the green grass and the cool temperatures of a beautiful morning in Dubai, when rain sprinkles started to fall. It wasn't the end of the world. In fact it was quite refreshing. Then the dust kicked up. A sandstorm was beginning. Suddenly the sky was gray and the wind rushed across the field.  Trash cans went flying. Sand started to blur our vision. Not one student complained! They found their happiness and kept on singing, dancing, laughing and enjoying themselves.  The wind was so strong that the laptop used for playing the music was blown off the table. The camping chairs never stood on their legs longer than five seconds before they were blown over. Sand was in our hair, eyes, ears, and mouths. Yet we kept smiling.

At noon, we asked the students to vote if we should cancel or carry on.  The vote was set and we all agreed to stay until midday. It wasn't good for our bodies to be in such a harsh environment.  We decided to distribute NA flyers to the festival goers to share information about NA, and then perform the dance routine one last time. At the same time, Fiona announced that the festival would be rescheduled.  It made sense.  The NA dancers happily engaged a couple of young ones in the routine, celebrated our success, brought down our flags and headed out!

We look forward to continuing our “happiness” and coming back to the festival on March 10th!

Necessary Love and Happiness