What makes people happy ?

USA Today ^ | 12-9-2002 | Marilyn Elias

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

What examples of "flow" can you find in your own life? How do they affect your level of satisfaction and happiness?

Consider your strengths. How do you incorporate them into your daily life? Do you agree with Csikszentmihalyi's assertion that "people feel best when doing what they do best"? Why or why not?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

May we all choose to be happy in the coming new year.

[BigBobber]

"Materialism is toxic for happiness," says University of Illinois psychologist Ed Diener. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who care less about getting and spending.

Then people in the Third World should be happy. How come they're not?

[Buffalo Head]

Didn't Abe Lincoln opine, "Most people are just about as happy as they choose to be."?

[latrans]

I try every day to live in the top of my happiness quotient.
I hope everyone does.

[Buffalo Head]

"Then people in the Third World should be happy. How come they're not?"

I believe that most folks happiness is in direct proportion to the amount of happieness they create for others.

[DaughterofEve]

Thanks, HLL!
The only thing I'd say, is I DO enjoy spending some time alone...but then again, maybe the key is "some" time. I probably enjoy it because so much else of my life is spent around throngs of people.
I like the story about the man who stayed home to look at his lit rock garden...I can appreciate that! That's how I feel about my pond and bird feeders, and I don't get to see enough of them sometimes!
HAPPY BLESSED NEW YEAR!

[Physicist]

It's easy to list the things that happy people do, but tough to say that doing these things will make people happy. While it may be true that happy people are less materialistic than unhappy people, it doesn't follow that "Materialism is toxic for happiness." It seems more likely that unhappy people will turn to acquisition as a form of solace.

I'm convinced that happiness is largely a function of personality (whether it's a result of nature or nurture I can't say). I'm one of those "naturally happy" people whose mood just defaults to being very happy unless something actively drags it down. It wasn't until I was married that I truly understood that not everybody is like that.

[Old Professer]

Life satisfaction occurs most often when people are engaged in absorbing activities that cause them to forget themselves, lose track of time and stop worrying. "Flow" is the term Claremont Graduate University psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced cheeks-sent-mee-hi) coined to describe this phenomenon.

Man, with a name like that, this guy could get into any speakeasy in town.

[Old Professer]

I'm convinced that happiness is largely a function of personality (whether it's a result of nature or nurture I can't say). I'm one of those "naturally happy" people whose mood just defaults to being very happy unless something actively drags it down. It wasn't until I was married that I truly understood that not everybody is like that.

Just in case we don't hear from you in a while, does your wife lurk on FR?

[BigBobber]

Here's my point. Western materialism is much maligned by those who have a position of relative comfort - created by western materialism and capitalism. If you are starving, live in a hovel, or are afraid some government thugs will drag you away in the middle of the night, then you don't have the luxury of pondering whether materialism is "toxic" to happiness.

The materialistic drive that allowed the western world to rise up from the gutter, and leave the rest of the world far behind, is hard to turn off once you have achieved a level of comfort. This drive may become a source of envy and disappointment, since someone will always have something you don't have. But we should never forget the positive effects that materialism has on our world.

[Physicist]

does your wife lurk on FR?

She's registered under the name of "Mrs. Physicist". But in fact, it's the mood difference between us that makes our relationship work. I pull her up, she brings me back to reality. Together, we neither wallow in misery nor fiddle while Rome burns.

[Doctor Raoul]

Those who say money won't buy happiness don't know where to shop.

[Centurion2000]

Those who say money won't buy happiness don't know where to shop.

I've learned a couple of rules in life so far. The absence of money when somethin unexpected arrives (car repairs, doctor bills, etc.) makes an annoying situation into something much more stresfull.

Money does not buy happiness but it sure makes life's little bumps go by easier.

[LBGA]

This is a great article and a great message. There are many motivational stories about people who choose to be happy and positive, and it can be a learned response, I believe.

Some of us, like you Physicist, are naturally happy, but it still takes a conscious effort to decide not to let events outside of our control or people who want to hurt have no or little effect on us. I am one of those people everyone would hate in the morning. No matter what time I get up, which is usually very early, I am excited about the day and energetic and happy. That part is natural to me. Learning to stay focused and positive when events or actions beyond my control start to bring me down is harder. Living through eight years of Clinton was extremely hard for me. ;-)

This year I beat cancer, went through chemo and laughed and joked with friends and family that I hoped to have a crew cut by Christmas... which I have! My son is overseas right now, but I know it will be the happiest day of my life when he returns, which I have faith that he will.

Faith, to me, is what allows me to be happy no matter what. I have been blessed with so many good things in my life and all that befalls or befuddles me just makes me think something better is just around the corner. Of course, I still do have to work at it, but that is the joy... knowing it is there if I reach for it. I wish for every one of my FR friends this expectation of good things, and may the New Year bring all of you just that. :-)

[Searching4Justice]

yea but think of the problems when he orders pizza over the phone !!!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Didn't Abe Lincoln opine, "Most people are just about as happy as they choose to be."?

Within certain obvious limits yes that is right, if my family is freezing to death or hungry I am obviously not going to be happy about it.

Paul said it best, "Having food and clothing, be content."

Not happy mind you, but content, in other words don’t be bitter and resentful that others have more.

[Jhoffa_]

"Happiness is a thrice searched carry on.."

(joke.. )

[kaylar]

Those who say money won't buy happiness or love forgot all about little puppies.

[AppyPappy]

May we all choose to be happy in the coming new year.

How can you say that when so many people are sad? We should force ourselves to be sad so they won't feel sad about being sad.