Happiness: an inside job

Minding your inner landscape is much more important for your state of happiness than mining your external landscape. Rather than seeking external solutions to an internal issue, let’s make our path to happiness an “inside job”. Focusing your attention (i.e. not multitasking) on the task at hand; practicing meditation (non-judgmental presence in the moment); choosing to fully show up in the present, rather than being stuck in past memories or future worries; being in the presence of people you love and who love you — all contribute positively to your state of happiness.

Happiness comes from feeling good (health), doing good (compassionate service) and being good (building awareness, character, and meaningful purpose). Growth in happiness will also be associated with growth in self-worth, self-respect, and self-love. As you find direction through quiet introspection and constructive contribution, you will be appreciated for who you really are, and then happiness will find you.

--William B. Stewart, MD

In the U.S., the houses may be bigger but the people are not necessarily happier...just often more in debt

According to Gallup, the happiest Americans tend to live in the West or urban areas, places where progressives (and optimism) tend to dominate. No surprise to me

Read this fascinating article in the New York Times here.

And adjust all the happiness factors with this interactive map.

"But will it make you happy?": a good article in the NYTimes about what tends to make us happy. "Experiences" and community are the key, not things

Read this article.

"Life delights in life"

For every thing that lives is holy, life delights in life.
--William Blake

This quote reminds me of an experience on a recent visit to NYC. One morning I spent an hour kicking a soccer ball with my friend's 2 1/2-year-old kid. Nothing compares to truly connecting with another human being.

A neuroscientific look at happiness, love and wisdom

I heard Rick Hanson speak on Sunday night and was very impressed with what he had to say about the relationship between the brain, our minds and happiness. Bottom line: we are what we think. The more we live in fear, the more that part of the brain will be stimulated and we will be upset about life. The more grateful and loving we are, the more that part of the brain will physically thicken and we will feel more happiness. However, this is not a Pollyanna, "power of positive thinking" approach from the 1970s. Rather, this is a grounded, scientific and Buddhist look at happiness.

Listen to Rick Hanson discuss his new book here.