The Effort of Happiness, Visualization, Altruism & Gratitude
I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy ~ Kahlil Gibran
So is there any actual benefit to all of these things we have been talking about? I mean really aren’t people’s personality types predetermined? You know, some people are just naturally happier than others, the so-called sunny disposition aren’t some of us are just set to be glum? The field of positive psychology studies just this type of question and surprisingly the answer is wholly unsatisfying, the answer is sort of. It seems that we do all have a predisposition in one direction or another; I personally call it the yippy-skippy scale. Some of us are very yippy-skippy, in the midst of the worst disaster imaginable they would be singing and whistling a tune. Others have a harder time being happy even at the most auspicious moment.
However, this is only a predisposition and in the article below the indication is that the research suggests that the predisposition is only about 50% of the picture. In fact, according to researchers in the field of positive psychology about 40% of what determines how happy we are is in fact completely under our control. So there is reason for us to keep working at it, a reason to continue to try to be happier.
In addition to the previous piece, here is a piece concerning steps to how to be happier including the fact that three activities can truly help, visualizing a more positive self, helping others and expressing gratitude. This is why lately you have suddenly seen a lot of people expressing gratitude through various wellness programs.
So we keep working at it, because it’s not only possible but worth it, extend that effort and have a happy day my friends. ~ Rev Kane
The Ministry of Happiness 