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Lasting Happiness

source: http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=5B76E630-E7F2-99DF-3958811DF...

clipped by wdh122253 Apr 07, 2007

We tend to adapt, quickly returning to our usual level of happiness. The classic example of such "hedonic adaptation" comes from a 1970s study of lottery winners, who a year after their windfall ended up no happier than nonwinners. Hedonic adaptation helps to explain why even changes in major life circumstances--such as income, marriage, physical health and where we live--do so little to boost our overall happiness. Not only that, but studies of twins and adoptees have shown that about 50 percent of each person's happiness is determined from birth. This "genetic set point" alone makes the happiness glass look half empty, because any upward swing in happiness seems doomed to fall back to near your baseline.

Comments

MicheleMoore 1 day later

How Depressing! Academic research proves unexpected abundant wealth does not bring lasting happiness and our happiness is a prisoner of our genes! There is a specific set of values, beliefs, ideals, skills and boundaries that lead to happy, spiritually successful lives. We call these habits of thought, feeling and action "happiness habits." There are universal, enduring, eternal truths that lead to happy, spiritually successful lives. We call these happiness habits... "Be Guided By Goodness • Fuel Your Life With Fun • Passion Is Empty Without Compassion • Profit From Your Mistakes • Beating Yourself Up Reinforces Errors You Want To Avoid • Drive Discipline With Desire • Make Decisions Not Judgments • Schedule Your Time Not Your Tasks • Be Driven By Desire NOT Duress • See Obstacles NOT Problems • Focus On How You Want To Feel • Touch Each Person You Meet With A Positive Spirit • Love Propels Happiness " are just a few. For more insights about how to live a happy life see http://HappinessHabit.com and http://HappinessBlog.com Wishing you great happiness, Michele Moore - author of How To Live A Happy Life - 101 Ways To Be Happier www.HappinessHabit.com www.HappinessBlog.com

wdh122253 1 day later

Thank you for your comments. I agree with you and the Dalai Llama.

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