HAPPINESS

In happiness surveys, people in relatively poor nations often score higher than folks in the U.S. Why? Their neighbors tend to be poor too, and they do not feel disadvantaged by comparison. However, "boomers are always comparing themselves to others and focusing on what they don't have," says Stephen Pollan, co-author of It's All in Your
Head: Thinking Your Way to Happiness.
Cut it out. One neighbor may have more, but another probably has less. Odds are you live a rich life - richer than your parents did. Just look at your house, cars, personal technology and travel and leisure and medical options. You may not have everything you want but, as the song goes, if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need Happiness or contentment is a state of mind, not the result of material wealth. In fact I am sure that you have observed that some of the wealthiest folks are the most un- happy. It is ironic that the more we seek happiness the more elusive it becomes. I think
that true happiness comes from serving others. It is a byproduct (a benefit) not a goal of living unselfishly. Solomon, the wise man of the Bible sought happiness in pleasure, self indulgence and material things. He concluded that all this was vanity and “striving after wind”. But he also said, “I have seen what is best for people here on earth. They
should eat and drink and enjoy their work, because the life God has given them on earth is short.”
A clear definition of happiness is very difficult to find for such a common term. When I have asked others for a definition of happiness the most general response is a feeling of contentment. As a result of this, many people, perhaps subconsciously, tend to be a little wary of happiness.
Happiness seems to be a selfish goal. This definition brings to mind an image of happy people lying around all day. Therefore people sometimes think that they would cease to be productive members of society, that they would stop caring about others.
In truth nothing could be further from the truth. You cannot help others; you cannot be truly productive and useful unless you are happy. And you cannot be truly happy, unless you are productive, useful and helping others