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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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A Few Of My Discoveries About Happiness Over The Course of Seven Decades

Sunday May 17, 2009

I have been studying happiness for seven decades. I did not realize I was studying this topic for most of a lifetime, but I was. I suspect nearly everyone "studies" happiness, over the course of his or her own decades, observing and experimenting to see what works, what pays off.

Like others, I have paid some attention to whether happiness ensues from one action or another. I've made a few mental notes doing that.

One thing I've noticed (and mentioned before) is that an elevated state of happiness does not last very long. Before you know it, another fix is needed. Another is that happiness may be somewhat addictive: once habituated, your whole system craves it, time and time again.

Fortunately, the dose levels of happiness needed for a fix of enjoyment (unlike heroin, for example) do not increase! You don't need more and more such experiences for satisfaction. You can get by quite nicely and with satisfying fulfillment of the moment with the same amount or even less, if you are enjoying enough on a regular basis. Also, fixes get easier and easier to obtain—and good news—they're not illegal, expensive or controlled by government regulators, gangs or black markets forces.

One other observation—the experience of happiness is a choice. You need to decide you want more happiness and plan accordingly. Otherwise, it's not likely to come your way, at least not in quantities and qualities that obtain if you pursue happiness as a preferred outlook. You must not expect happiness "to drop into your mouth, like a ripe fruit," to paraphrase Bertrand Russell. (Well, ripe fruits don't drop into anyone's mouth, either, so I don't know what Bertie might have been thinking when he said that.)

What are some of YOUR discoveries about happiness? Send them along—this is something I can't get enough of. I promise to share them with other visitors to this site, provided they are wholesome, family friendly and something virtuous folks everywhere would enjoy. If not, send them anyway—I'll enjoy them even if I decide your insights will stay in Vegas, as if they were revealed there.

All the best. Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.

Domain: mental
Subdomain: emotional intelligence

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