"Life is measured by your happiness, basically smiles minus frowns. You have a choice in this regard at every step. All people should be treated fairly, evenly and justly, to the greatest extent possible. Nothing is black and white. You don't have to win arguments to be happy, just know that your own opinions are good. Be a good person that others would like, golden rule. Be open, show your true self, don't hide behind facades. There is room for humor in everything."
I found this quote on someone's blog. I don't know who said it, but it is an interesting point. Especially the first part. "...basically smiles minus frowns..." I disagree with it somewhat. If they mean that literally, there are so many times in life when I smile when I am unhappy and so on. I'm sure they didn't mean it like that, but that's the way I interpret it.
I also found this survey called the Happy Planet Index. When I took it I got a score of 43.8, the average is a 46, and excellent is like 82 or something. I guess I need to work on some things there. However, it did say that my life expectancy was 85, which I think is pretty good.
Last night I found this which granted is a Cracked article which should normally be used mainly for humor purposes, but the last thing in this article is about how a team of psychologists came up with a formula to calculate your happiness.
Happiness= P + (5xE) + (3xH)
P - Personal characteristics
E - Existence (health, financial, stability and friendships)
H - Higher order (self-esteem, confidence, ambitions and sense of humor)
You can find these numbers for yourself by answering the following questions on a scale of 1-10. The first two are for P, third of E, and fourth for H.
1. Are you outgoing, energetic, flexible and open to change?
2. Do you have a positive outlook, bounce back quickly from setbacks and feel that you are in control of your life?
3. Are your basic life needs met, in relation to personal health, finance, safety, freedom of choice and sense of community?
4. Can you call on the support of people close to you, immerse yourself in what you are doing, meet your expectations and engage in activities that give you a sense of purpose?
Now just put your answers into the formula and you'll get a rating out of 100. Over 80 is really happy, under 20 is basically very depressed. I got a 55.5, which again I wish it was better, but it isn't like it's absolutely terrible.
All of these different ways to calculate your own happiness are interesting, but I think Sherri Dew put into words best, how we are to become happy.
"It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It isn't possible to buy enough to be happy, or to entertain or indulge or pamper ourselves enough to be happy. It is not possible to hide enough or run far enough away from trials and troubles to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when we are living up to who we are."
I know that that is true, I know that when I feel happy it is because I have done that which is living up to who I am. I know that is how I will find permanent happiness someday. When I will always live up to who I am.
E - Existence (health, financial, stability and friendships)
H - Higher order (self-esteem, confidence, ambitions and sense of humor)
You can find these numbers for yourself by answering the following questions on a scale of 1-10. The first two are for P, third of E, and fourth for H.
1. Are you outgoing, energetic, flexible and open to change?
2. Do you have a positive outlook, bounce back quickly from setbacks and feel that you are in control of your life?
3. Are your basic life needs met, in relation to personal health, finance, safety, freedom of choice and sense of community?
4. Can you call on the support of people close to you, immerse yourself in what you are doing, meet your expectations and engage in activities that give you a sense of purpose?
Now just put your answers into the formula and you'll get a rating out of 100. Over 80 is really happy, under 20 is basically very depressed. I got a 55.5, which again I wish it was better, but it isn't like it's absolutely terrible.
All of these different ways to calculate your own happiness are interesting, but I think Sherri Dew put into words best, how we are to become happy.
"It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It isn't possible to buy enough to be happy, or to entertain or indulge or pamper ourselves enough to be happy. It is not possible to hide enough or run far enough away from trials and troubles to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when we are living up to who we are."
I know that that is true, I know that when I feel happy it is because I have done that which is living up to who I am. I know that is how I will find permanent happiness someday. When I will always live up to who I am.
