The Obama InaugurationA Case Study in the Power of Happiness to Create PeaceI was privileged to attend the Obama Inauguration in Washington, DC. The most memorable thing about the experience was how happy the people who attended were, all 2 million of them. This happy crowd transformed the city. Despite frustrating security, physically challenging conditions, and news of war and economic downturn, there were no arrests or injuries. The happy mood gave people the resilience to act peacefully. 
On inauguration day, people danced in the street. Not just young people, middle-aged and older people, police and spectators all broke out in little dance steps throughout the day. There were reports of public singing breaking out spontaneously where there were crowds of people. People looked each other in the eye and smiled and many started brief, friendly conversations with strangers. I have rarely seen this behavior in Washington, DC before.The temperatures were below freezing all day. The crowds were thick, forcing people to stand shoulder to shoulder in crowded, dark tunnels- often with little explanation for delays. Many had to give up valuable bags and other possessions in order to pass through security. Many in secured areas stood for 6 or 8 hours with no access to food and water. Yet, there were no arrests or injuries. People were considerate of each other. They made room for each other. They forgave small trespasses of personal space. Research on Transcendental Meditation has shown that when 100 experienced mediators meditate for peace together in a close group, the crime rate in a 5 mile radius declines. This link is so strong that the group sends a large portion of every training fee to India to pay people to meditate for world peace as a full time job. The Obama Inauguration experience suggests that the same trend applies to groups of happy people. Other research, recently published in BMJ, the online British Medical Journal, indicates that happiness is contagious almost like a virus. The hope and optimism that President Obama inspired with campaign promises to improve the economy by raising standards for everyone certainly does seem to be spreading. In these depressing economic times, we may all need a little more consideration, more room in a crowded space, and more forgiveness for small trespasses. Studies have shown that happy people are more likely to find creative and novel solutions. They look for solutions where everyone gains and tend to avoid win-loose solutions. Happy people are more likely to give to others and to enjoy rich social relationships with other people. In short, happy people exhibit the behaviors that lead to more peace and less conflict. It seems in these challenging and frustrating times, we could all benefit from more happy people. With the case study of the Obama Inauguration to guide us, we may find that the most transformative force in this new period of history is not so much the laws and policies Mr. Obama passes, but the change in all of us as we exercise our optimism and joy in living together. Photos by John McMillin
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Many Washington visitors who disliked DC on previous occasions remarked on what a beautiful city it was now.
