Happiness
is a human universal. That is to say, all humans seek happiness.
Donald Brown wrote an excellent book, on the subject, titled Human
Universals.
Brown doesn't list happiness directly but that's because he's
concerned with behaviors. Upon looking at the book, it is clear that
many of the behaviors he lists are intended to induce a state of
happiness. Examples would be: sports, courtship, dancing, games,
joking, gift-giving, hospitality, and visiting.
History
is littered with messages about happiness. We can go all the way
back to Aristotle who said, “Happiness is the meaning and the
purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” In more
modern time the Dalai Lama spoke for the Buddhist tradition when he
said, in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, “We all seek
happiness.” The problem is that the concept is very elusive. What
does happiness mean? And, how can we get more of it? These are
questions scientists have turned to in the last decade or so. The
name of this new, and exciting field, is “Positive Psychology.”
One way of putting it is that it's the study of mental health as
opposed to mental illness.
It was Bobby McFerrin who sang that song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." It was a fun and catchy song and it's good advice to remember. But, like many things, it much easier said than done. The good news is that scientist are turning their attention to ways we can actually execute on Mr. McFerrin's prescription. Let me give you an example.
It was Bobby McFerrin who sang that song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." It was a fun and catchy song and it's good advice to remember. But, like many things, it much easier said than done. The good news is that scientist are turning their attention to ways we can actually execute on Mr. McFerrin's prescription. Let me give you an example.
One
researcher in the field of PP is named Sonja Lyubomirksy. Sonja is a
professor of psychology at the University of California–Riverside
and has written an excellent book titled The
How of Happiness.
Over time I will be discussing the various findings of professor
Lyubomirksy but, for now, let me just give you one kernel of
information. Forty percent of people's happiness is dependent on
their conscious and willful efforts. That is to say, 40% of how happy
we are depends on the thoughts we decide to think and the things we
decide to do.
A lot
of people think we're either born happy or we're not. That's only
partially true. About 50% of our perceived level of happiness is
based on genetics. So while, yes, some people are born happier than
others, it doesn't have to be the deciding factor.
Furthermore,
a lot of people think happiness is circumstantial, meaning the result
of our circumstances. This shows itself when people say a sentence
like the following, “I'll be happy when ________.” I'll be happy
when I find the right job. I'll be happy when I get married. I'll be
happy when I have children. And on and on. But circumstances only
determine 10% of our happiness level.
The
real leverage is in the 40% which is dependent upon the thoughts we
decide to think and the things we decide to do. Over time I will
cover more and more of the specific, scientifically accredited,
strategies that we can all use to increase our level of happiness.
So, if you haven't done so already, click on the “Join this site”
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