How much happiness is enough? Are we too happy? Am I too happy? (Something new for me to fret over; add to my list of neuroses.)A recent and interesting study, which caught my happy eye, published in December in the journal of Perspectives on Psychological Science indicates that – on the one hand – the happiest individuals in their four studies went on to have lower levels of income, academic achievement, and job satisfaction than did people who say that were only “moderately†happy.On the other hand, those who experienced the highest levels of happiness had more friends, felt more centered, balanced and stable, were successfully in a long-term relationship, and were more likely to give unto others (i.e. volunteer).According to Shigehiro Oishi, one of he author’s of this study, those who exhibit moderate amounts of happiness strive for more, something better. It fuels them to move forward. However, when one reaches their highest level of happiness, there may be a moment when they look at their partners as less than ideal. Perhaps, they think, there is something better out there! From this ‘happy idiot’ to you: It’s NOT BAD to be happy! While it is true that it is a challenge to maintain ‘10’s’ in all areas of your life simultaneously, I do believe we can learn strategies to manage it all and have it all. Don’t worry. Be happy. What do you think about happiness? How happy are you? And if you’re not happy, are you now happy to know that it might not be such a bad thing???? Twist your mind around that! Leave a comment below and visit the Kick in the Tush Club community to discuss amongst yourselves.
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posted May 2, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I don’t think that being “too happy” or at least THINKING that we’re too happy can be a bad thing. After all, isn’t it the pursuit of happiness that causes so much stress in our lives? We have to have a bigger house, better car, the most exotic vacation, the glitziest shoes? (OK, the shoes are a necessary pursuit.) “You can’t be too rich or too thin”? Maybe being a happy individual with a lower income, less education and less job satisfaction just means that you’ve found other things – the really important things – to make you happy. Sounds like a good strategy to me…
posted May 3, 2008 at 9:46 am
One of my favorite bible verses is Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.” I think of that as a reminder to always look at the bright side of things, and can almost always find something positive in just about anything. Okay, it’s sometimes difficult, and sometimes it’s not much of a bright side, but I try. That helps me to be happy.