Happiness

I have been reading a very interesting book on psychology called by the surprising name: 59 seconds. It is written Richard Wiseman, professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology. He looks at such subjects as happiness, relationships and decision-making from the point of view of rigorous scientific research, and not from the comments and writings of the self-help specialists that are found in so many popular magazines. For instance, this sort of positive use of the imagination is very often encouraged in order to achieve one's dreams.

"Just shut your eyes and picture yourself on a superb beach sipping cool champagne, clothed in fashionabe designer gear, surveying a message on your Blackberry that tells you of your corporate success."

This sort of advice about obtaining success and happiness has been common in the past forty years. Wiseman says that research is clear that such exercises are at best ineffective and at worst harmful. It ill prepares people for the setbacks and pains that occur in life.

Most people when asked what would increase their happiness in life usually say that a steep increase in their finances would be number one on their list. But modern research seems to back what Aristotle said in his Ethics over 2000 years ago."For assuredly he who possesses great store of riches is no nearer happiness than he who has enough for his daily needs." As Jesus said in Luke 12:15 "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Although extreme poverty causes misery, it seems that once the basic needs are met big increases in wealth only bring temporary increases in satisfaction. It all boils down to the coffee pot syndrome. This experiment has been done many times. Imagine going for a long walk in cold weather. You spy an inviting house. You are invited in and the smell of freshly roasted coffee assails you nostrils. You look forward to a delightful espresso or capachino. The strange thing psychologist have noted when reviewing this scenario is that within ten minutes the delicious aroma has gone and the only way of getting it back is to go outside for about ten minutes. You see, human nature is incredibly adaptable. The new car or the new house only provide a short -term boost. We quickly get used and familiar with the new. As the book says, "Yesterday's luxuries can soon become today's necessities and tomorrow's relics." It has been computed that possessions and wealth provide us with only 10% of our happiness. As our capacity for happiness is at least 50% genetically controlled, what do we have to do and believe so that the remaining 40% that lies within our control can be put to the best use? I shall answer that in my next blog.