For some time now, the West is tying to put its finger on one of the most illusive emotions of the human psyche—happiness. “Happiness” is hogging media space like never before, and just loving it. Hence, we get to read stories that tell us British women feel happiest at 28.
According to BBC reports, scientists claim that they have evolved a formula to measure happiness and can tell us exactly what will make us happy. The report also goes on to say that though Britain is much wealthier than what it used to be fifty years back, its inhabitants are much less happier. That wealth is not directly proportional to the happiness which one experiences, is a much established fact.
Several studies are now being conducted to fathom what exactly leads to a happy state of mind. Interestingly, most of these reveal that countries like Bhutan or Costa Rica–whose GDP is way below than the coveted figure–are the happiest ones. I wouldn’t risk being judgemental about this whole exercise of “happiness hunting”. Rather, it would be nice to hear from all of you your take on this.
The floor is yours.
6 comments:
Let the wild wild west go happiness hunting as they have not been able to figure it out in thousands of years! The east knows it from the dawn of civilisaton! 'Ananda' is a state of mind GDP has got nothing to do with it sadly! But I am happy that friends are discovering it elsewhere as well. There is still hope!
.. much like the happy guy didn't have a shirt on his back when they finally found him!
measuring happiness! we the so-called civilized people have always believed in quantifying everything in life. why spare happiness! the poor thing will feel left out :-(
Read this
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4783836.stm
I'm not sure whether you can arrive at a happiness formula - but uncomplicating our lives is one of the key ingredients of a a happy life.
Living in the cities undoubtedly complicates one's life. And one can no longer live viably in the villages - thanks to the cities siphoning all the resources away from these villages.
Countries like Bhutan really benefit from an unspoiled forest cover, total lack of urbanization and industrialization (remember Dicken's Hard times?), and an added benefit of a deep routed faith in religion which is not compromisable.
You might find it interesting to know that there is a sect of Christians in America (I forgot the name) which has totally rejected modern technology, and still lives in a way people used to live back in the 18th century - they don't use automotives, electricity and so many other modern inventions.
You can buy an evening of dance in the disco followed by cheap sex - but you can't buy the frogs croaking in the tranquil pond, and the clean sootless air.
As an afterthought, uncomplicating our lives also means owning less and less stuff. The more your assets are, the more are your liabilities.
The new car (crap, someone just scratched its beautiful metal finish). The beautiful new lampshade (oh, it has to be dusted now!). The persial rug (be careful with that coffee, you don't want to stain the persian rug). etc. etc.
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