The science of happiness -

News Type: Other — Seeded on Sun Sep 7, 2008 1:01 AM EDT

Article Source: The L.A. Times

health, psychology, genetics, success, happiness, belief, attitude, intention, good-life

IF RECENT scientific research on happiness -- and there has been quite a bit -- has proved anything, it's that happiness is not a goal. It's a process. Although our tendency to be happy or not is partly inborn, it's also partly within our control. And, perhaps more surprising, happiness brings success, not the other way around. Though many people think happiness is elusive, scientists have actually pinned it down and know how to get it.

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Angel_C's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Alternative Health & Wellness, Mel and Brenda's Group, Newsvine Optimist Club, Psych, Soc, Philos, Rivendell
Regions: Los Angeles

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Angel_C

Lyubomirsky and her colleagues analyzed studies on identical twins and other research and came to the conclusion that happiness is 50% genetic, 40% intentional and 10% circumstantial.

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1 vote

#1 - Sun Sep 7, 2008 1:02 AM EDT

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Ira Presslaff

I guess that I live in a world of my own. The complete premise of the article to me is moving in the wrong direction. To me it is more of Dr. Phil, and others like him. The one statement that caught my attiention most was: "Among the major findings of the last decade is that the pursuit of happiness is a worthy cause." Why do I say this? OK I'll tell you. As long as you are in pursuit you are never there. You hear all the time from good people that I will be happy when I a get my degree. I will be happy way I meet the love of my life. I will be happy when I get out of debt. This kind of thinking means that you will never be happy. You must be happy now in the moment. That does not mean that you are not aware of difficult situations that you may be facing, and goals that you might have. The only way to be happy is " to be happy in your own skin." That means that you are comfortable about who you are. I know this to be true since like I said to my dog Rocky the other day while we where sitting outside watching a humming bird feed; " You know Rocky Dad, that is me, has less material things than he has ever had, and is older and has more physical problems than he has ever had, is alone and some of his love ones could care less about him, but he is truly a happy man since he is comfortable about who he is.

Just a thought Stop chasing happiness it will always be one step ahead of you. Ira

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1 vote

#2 - Sun Sep 7, 2008 4:11 PM EDT

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Angel_C

I totally agree with you Ira. The interesting thing about this article to me was that scientists are interested in the subject!

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1 vote

#2.1 - Mon Sep 8, 2008 9:46 AM EDT

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Ira Presslaff

I read a book sometime ago and picked it up to look at some of the lines that I had highlighted. I do this to almost all that I read. The book is "The Mind" by Richard M. Restrak, M.D. Mostly about the workings of the brain. He writes: "How we live our lives, how we perceive the events that happen to us, are very important. If you can't control events ---- and how many of us can control all the stressful events that occur in our lives? --- than it is very important to work on changing your perception of the event." ( This quote was a quote from a physiologist by the name of Sapolsky.)

I will take it one step further in that when you may be working on the perceiving of the event you still can happy. This all goes along with my thinking that Existence in all Realms is a journey, and growth of understanding of the true reality is constant and eternal.

Angel_C you seem to enjoy The Dalai Lama. Have you read "The Art of Happiness?"

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1 vote

#2.2 - Mon Sep 8, 2008 10:16 AM EDT

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Angel_C

Yes, I've read some of it from a friend's library. I also have read many books by Thich Nhat Hanh,--Being Peace; Peace in Every Step; Living Buddha, Living Christ ; Teachings on Love and others. Mindfulness is the key to peace and happiness.

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#2.3 - Mon Sep 8, 2008 11:59 AM EDT

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ANGEL_C

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