←

→

The elusive nature of happiness, part 6

September 24th, 2007 | Joy and happiness, Just thinking, Quotations 

H = S + C + V
Happiness = Set Point + Conditions of Your Life + Volunteer Activities

The S and C account for …60% of our happiness. “But that still leaves 40% which is really quite a lot.” [Lyubomirsky] Liz Seymour

I’d like to know where they get their percentages. I think there are times when C can be a lot more than 60%. It can permeate the whole of life, even if we have happy moments.

We have to fight for the kind of life we want — and that includes our happiness. Make the choices that increase our overall sense of well-being.

Martin Seligman, originator of the term ‘positive psychology’ [director of the Positive Psychology Center at the U of PA] divides the building blocks of happiness into two broad categories: pleasures and gratifications. Pleasures are sensual and emotional (a good meal…a back rub) but generally fleeting in their effect. Gratifications are those activities that call on our skills and strengths and give us a sense of a job well done. [He] divides [these] even further into what he calls ’signature strengths’ — marks of character such as perseverance, kindness, curiosity, and humility that make each of us the individuals that we are.

…[Haidt] assigned [psychology students] four activities: attend a lecture, perform an act of kindness, express gratitude to someone, [or]eat an ice cream cone. Only the ice cream cone failed to lift the student’s mood for the whole day. … “We are most fully engaged in life when we are part of something that isn’t just for ourselves.” Liz Seymour

Well, no wonder food is not really a comfort, if this holds true. Of course, we knew that empirically, but now it is confirmed. I’m still not ready to give up chocolate, but if I go for a while not eating it, I find I don’t want it.

What things give you the best day or the best feeling about yourself or your life? Kindness and curiosity rank up there with keeping involved in life.

Karin

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • blog traffic exchangeTwo takes on the parade of life Of all the gifts my mother gave me, not the least of which was an excellent childhood, I'd have to say that 'enthusiasm' was by far one of the most valuable. She taught me not...
  • blog traffic exchangeReview Flipping Brilliant A Penguin's Guide to a Happy Life Flipping Brilliant is a short little inspirational book based on penguin life, but it is filled with wonderful, wonderful pictures of penguins. It is also available as a Kindle book for $6.39. But I'm not...
  • blog traffic exchangeA little bit about patience I've been thinking that some experiences take patience to the nth degree. Current estimates for new Chinese adoptions are running into the 2 yrs to 36 mos range. I thought our wait of 18 mos...
  • blog traffic exchangeFinding happiness One thing I know, I'm not happy here, but would I be happy anywhere else? ...Having been blown sideways by life, or shoved by my parents, we've never had the time or privilege to think...
  • blog traffic exchangeReview Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard joins the latest books in my Kindle. I believe it might have been offered free, but I missed it at that savings. I...
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites Online Stores If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.


Categories:

Joy and happiness, Just thinking, Quotations



0 comments ↓

There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

Leave a Comment