What Constitutes or Determines Happiness?
by Marilyn Elias in an article in the New York Times of Sept 2009, dubbed “Psychologists now know what makes people happy”, wrote that “ it was apparent that the happiest people surround themselves with family and friends, don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses next door, lose themselves in daily activities and most importantly forgive easily”.
We live in a world where most people are unhappy for one reason or another hence the high cases of depression. People have defined happiness to consist of material things or a particular status and because that is lacking, they are unhappy.
The interesting thing to note though is that the happiest people in the world today are found in the least materialistic societies. According to Ed Diener, a University of Illinois Psychologist, “materialism is toxic for happiness”. Whatever we think we need to make us happy will not make us happy when we attain it because happiness is not defined by things or status.
Happiness is individually defined and is a choice that each individual must make for themselves. When people stop looking outside of themselves to be happy then they start finding happiness in the simple day to day things like just being alive.
In a recent survey on the state of happiness of the people of the three East African countries, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Kenyans came up top as the happiest. The survey on happiness was initiated by Coca Cola and is based on a theory emerging from Bhutan, a state in Asia, recommending the “use of the national mood instead of economic statistics as a measure of social development”.
According to the survey, 80% of Kenyans were happy with life as it was. A good health as opposed to money to most Kenyans is what makes them happy. Further more “money means less for the self employed than the employed”. In general money “forms the least worry in Kenyan lives”. Only married people appeared to attach money to their happiness.
Good health was the greatest source of happiness for most Kenyans in particular those above the age of 35 years. Coupled with this is knowing that those around you were okay. Those who were employed found their work a great source of happiness than friends and even spouse. For those who were poor, having three meals a day was a great source of happiness.
The survey also showed the relationship between peace with self and happiness. More unemployed people needed peace because they remembered to pray for a peaceful night than their employed counter parts. This is probably universal because lack of peace leads to stress which obstructs ones happiness. Prayer is a way of releasing one’s burdens and worries to a higher being while trusting that things will change.
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Post CommentJimmy Shilaho
On February 19, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Like you say, happiness is relative and no one factor determines it, however, the pursuit of happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.
Karen Gross
On February 20, 2011 at 2:53 am
Very interesting. I have sponsored a Kenyan girl for about 8 years, and she has blessed me with her letters.
gaby7
On February 20, 2011 at 7:21 am
I liked this article a lot! Very well researched work on a topic that concerns all mankind!
Freethinking
On February 21, 2011 at 2:45 pm
You have written an awe inspiring and eye opening article, my new friend. All one need do is look at the superstars and how many commit suicide, or live their lives on a destructive course. It is so refreshing to know that youths can find happiness in their churches. Thank you for a wonderful piece.