http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/the-economics-of-happiness-part-1-reassessing-the-easterlin-paradox/
Apparently, being rich and being happy seem to go together. I have not delved deeply into the research at this point. On the surface, it makes me a little sad. Hopefully, humans are fulfilled by many pursuits, not just the accumulation of resources. We obviously long for security in some measure. Financial concerns are the source of much fear. Yet, I have known some very unhappy people of means. I wouldn’t be surprised if happiness turned out to be more of a balance of factors. Surely, meaning and purpose come into play somehow?
Apparently, being rich and being happy seem to go together. I have not delved deeply into the research at this point. On the surface, it makes me a little sad. Hopefully, humans are fulfilled by many pursuits, not just the accumulation of resources. We obviously long for security in some measure. Financial concerns are the source of much fear. Yet, I have known some very unhappy people of means. I wouldn’t be surprised if happiness turned out to be more of a balance of factors. Surely, meaning and purpose come into play somehow?
3 comments:
I'll make a guess. Leaving God aside for the moment, people who have enough wealth to satisfy their needs and some desires with a little left over, and who are disciplined in what they identify as needs and desires, and who are not envious of those who have more, and who take delight in generous giving, and who are grateful for all that they have, and who recognize that they are stewards and not owners of what they have, are likely to be very happy people.
A wise guess indeed...
Good to hear from the Country Parson.
Chris+
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