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Meaning and Happiness .com More meaningful and happier life, work, and play Happiness, life satisfaction, fulfillment and meaning in life Can science tell us anything about the meaning of life, or how to find happiness? There's been a surge of interest recently among some research psychologists in "positive psychology" - not just finding out what's wrong with people but what's right with them. They've been investigating questions like: What are the characteristics of life satisfaction, and what leads to it? Is happiness just a string of pleasurable events, or is there something deeper? What kinds of happiness are there, and how do we get them? Does tapping into personal strengths and virtues lead to greater engagement in one's activities? How can we find more meaning in life, in the work we do, or in the things we do for enjoyment? We'll also talk about relationships, community, attitudes and values, and a whole range of other things. Join the conversation and let us know what you think too. Two Principles of Psychological Wealth, part 2: Happiness as a Valuable Resource by Dr. Steve Wright In the Matrix movies we learn that there was a previous matrix: a total virtual world provided for the humans, a utopia in which everyone was happy. But the program was a failure. Too many of the humans rejected it and “woke up” because that world was too perfect. Apparently they knew subconsciously that in real life people weren’t supposed to be that happy. What good is happiness? Is it anything more than taking Ecstasy or some other “happy pill”? Does it actually benefit you or society in any way, or is it merely feelings that are vacuous and fleeting? Especially in centuries past, many people have thought that happiness is just a trivial luxury that has no substantial benefits, is not worthy of pursuit, perhaps even somewhat characteristic of imbecilic airheadedness. Intellectuals were above such nonsense; melancholy was to be expected. Author of the classic Madame Bovary , Gustave Flaubert famously declared: “To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.” Albert Schweitzer said “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” Recently researchers have taken a different view. Ed Diener , probably the world’s foremost authority on the subject, with his son Robert Biswas-Diener , writes: Modern psychological science has added a fascinating and counter-intuitive new dimension to the age-old discussion of happiness: happiness is beneficial. Rather than viewing happiness as a pleasant state of mind, research tells us that happiness is helpful and functional. It is a resource to be used rather than only to be enjoyed. In their popular book, Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth , Diener and Diener tell us that “happiness, as it turns out, not only feels good, but is often good for you and for society.” They include the cynical quotations above, and specifically state that “Flaubert was dead wrong.” In Part II of the book, they discuss research showing that: …happiness is associated with a wide variety of tangible benefits, ranging from improved health, to better marriages, to increased chances of attaining personal goals. People often think of happiness as something you get, or a state you get to. But the authors discuss happiness as a resource you can use to increase the chances of success in other areas, as “emotional capital we can spend in the pursuit of other attractive outcomes”: Research shows that happy people live longer, succumb to fewer illnesses, stay married longer, commit fewer crimes, produce more creative ideas, make more money, and help others more. Who wouldn’t want to be happier if it increases one’s chances of being physically fit, financially secure, helpful, and surrounded by friends? So cultivating happiness actually has significant, multiple benefits. But how do you grow your happiness? A number of the articles on this web site will help you. One of them highlights where to look: In “Part 1” of this article I talked about another key principle of Psychological Wealth discovered by researchers. If you haven’t read it already, you may want to do so now: “ Two Principles of Psychological Wealth, part 1 .” If you have, check out some of the recommended articles above in the right column. Written by Dr. Steve Wright on December 31st, 2010 Related Articles: Two Principles of Psychological Wealth, part 1 Can money buy happiness? Dr. Happiness and the Indiana Jones of positive psychology First step: What do you really want? Posted in Fulfillment , Perspective | No Responses » Two Principles of Psychological Wealth, part 1 by Dr. Steve Wright “I’d really be happy if I could just get that promotion.” “I can’t wait for my vacation!” “I wish I had just a little more money so I could make ends meet.” “I’d be glad if I could lose 10 pounds.” “I want those shoes!” “I should move to California.” “Thank God it’s Friday.” When people think about what they want, it often has to do with improving their circumstances. People assume they’ll be happier if they could have a situation that includes things like the ones listed above. I’m pretty sure Ed Diener ( “ Dr. Happiness ” ) has done more scientific research on happiness than anyone, and is considered by many the world’s foremost authority. Recently he wrote a book on the subject with his son, Robert Biswas-Diener ( “ The Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology ” ), who has also done some interesting research on happiness all over the world. If you want to be happier, it might make sense to listen to what they have to say. The book is called Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth . Part 1 (of 4 parts), “Understanding True Wealth,” includes Chapter 2: “Two Principles of Psychological Wealth.” The excerpts below are from their discussion of the first principle. Caveat Emptor: Bad Stuff Happens … Even to Princesses Take a moment and recall the classic story of Cinderella. Remember how she was cruelly mistreated by her stepsisters and their wicked mother? Do you recall how they made her slave away at the daily household chores? Remember how the dress she labored so hard over was torn to shreds in a fit of jealousy, and her hopes of going to the royal ball lay in tatters? Of course, you probably best remember the happy ending of the fairy tale: Cinderella’s magical godmother arrives in the nick of time, whisks her away to the dance, and engineers a quick infatuation, with the result that the beloved protagonist marries the charming prince. But is that the end of the story, or just the beginning? It is interesting to consider what happened to Cinderella next, after she was betrothed and took up residence in Charming Castle. For people who believe that happiness is a matter of favorable circumstances, the story of Cinderella turns out to be a slam dunk. With a Hollywood-handsome husband, a royal title, all the riches she could want, and soldiers to guard her from the paparazzi, how could our belle of the ball not be happy? But for folks who are inclined to think of happiness as a process, the matter of Cinderella’s emotional fate is far from clear. Did Cinderella’s husband treat her well, or was he a philanderer in later life? Did she find some meaningful pastime to keep her occupied on the palace grounds? Were her children spoiled brats? Did she harbor resentment about her upbringing, or try to get revenge on her stepsisters? Did she grow bored with royal balls and court intrigue, or did she organize a dance program for the poor kids in her kingdom? Happiness, as we have said, is a process, not a destination. Just as Cinderella’s life did not end with her royal wedding, your emotional bliss is not complete once you have obtained some important goal. Life goes on, and even those great circumstances you achieve will not ensure you lasting happiness. For one thing, bad things can happen ev...