Leading Inspiration: Q & A About Happiness

Q: What really is happiness? Is there research on this topic?

A: This is a very timely question. The research in this area has grown greatly and some of that research was recently shown in the PBS series “This Emotional Life” (http://www.pbs.org/). Two other great resources are the work of Martin Seligman (authentichappiness.com) and Gretchen Rubin (happinessproject.com). Here are a few tips from Gretchen Rubin.

Myths About Happiness

• Happy people are annoying and stupid.

• Nothing changes a person’s happiness level much.

• Venting anger relieves it.

• You will be happier if you insist on “the best.”

• You will be happy as soon as you…

• Spending some time alone will make you feel better.

• The biggest myth: It’s selfish to try to be happy.

Secrets of Adulthood

• The best reading is re-reading.

• Outer order contributes to inner calm.

• The opposite of a great truth is also true.

• You manage what you measure.

• By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.

• People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.

• Most decisions don’t require extensive research.

• Try not to let yourself get too hungry.

• If you can’t find something, clean up.

• The days are long, but the years are short.

• Some place, keep an empty shelf.

• Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.

• It’s okay to ask for help.

• You can choose what you do; you can’t choose what you LIKE to do.

• Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy.

• What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

• You don’t have to be good at everything.

• Soap and water removes most stains.

• It’s important to be nice to EVERYONE.

• You know as much as most people.

• Eat better, eat less, exercise more.

• What’s fun for other people may not be fun for you – and vice versa.

• People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.

• Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.

• If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.

• No deposit, no return.

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