Authentic Happiness?

[BridgeTheGap]

Monday, November 27, 2006
New studies show promise that surprises researchers
By Malcolm Ritter
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK - As a motivational speaker and executive coach, Caroline Adams Miller knows a few things about using mental exercises to achieve goals. But last year, one exercise she was asked to try took her by surprise.
Every night, she was to think of three good things that happened that day, and analyze why they occurred. That was supposed to increase her overall happiness.
"I thought it was too simple to be effective," said Miller, 44, of Bethesda. Md. "I went to Harvard. I'm used to things being complicated."
Miller was assigned the task as homework in a master's degree program. But as a chronic worrier, she knew she could use the kind of boost the exercise was supposed to deliver.
She got it.
"The quality of my dreams has changed, I never have trouble falling asleep and I do feel happier," she said.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/living/health/16105525.htm
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/newsletter.aspx?id=47

[Skittles]

1. I don't trust happy people

I figure they either don't know what is going on or they DO know and don't care and can be happy anyways and either way that just sucks :o

[BridgeTheGap]

2. Most politicians look "happy", smiling etc.

Trust is a big issue.
What's the difference between having a sense of humor and being happy?
I feel happy when I have a good laugh.
Paying attention comes at a cost - it's natural to get pissed off at injustice. But then what?
Some people are driven to action by their anger.
Physiologically, when we are in a state of anxiety, anger, depression - the blood in the brain tends to "pool" in the limbic/"reptilian" portion - characterized by fight or flight type responses.
Higher thinking takes place in the frontal lobes - problem solving, etc.
It's almost like we have to find a way to channel our righteous anger, calm ourselves down enough to make rational decisions, plan what to do, etc. - EVEN in politics.
Viktor Frankel, the Jewish psychiatrist who wrote "Man's Search for Meaning" about being in a concentration camp during WWII. He said that the last true freedom of a human being is to choose your own attitude, no matter what the circumstances are.
It ain't easy!
I don't think happiness necessarily means allowing things to be how they are or ignoring reality, i.e. ignorance is bliss.
Happiness does not mean, nor should it, turning away from the suffering of others.

[Porcupine]

3. Well that was depressing. It seems Happiness=Social Relationships

and I'm a loner. I'm really not interested in drunk people or the God Squad and that about describes my town's population.

Happiness sucks!!!

[groovedaddy]

4. Have you thought about moving?

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with being a loner. Maybe your DU visits are your socializing?