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Quatre façons Dont Le Bonheur Peut Vous Nuire

Ces dernières années, nous avons assisté à une explosion de recherches scientifiques révélant précisément à quel point des sentiments positifs comme le bonheur sont bénéfiques. Nous savons qu'ils nous motivent à poursuivre des objectifs importants et à surmonter les obstacles, nous protègent de certains effets du stress, nous rapprochent des autres et même nous prémunissent contre les maladies physiques et mentales.

Cela a rendu le bonheur très tendance. La science du bonheur a fait la une de Time , d'Oprah et même de The Economist , et a donné naissance à une petite industrie de conférenciers motivateurs, de psychothérapeutes et de chercheurs. Ce site web, Greater Good , propose environ 400 articles sur le bonheur , et son blog parental est spécifiquement consacré à l'éducation des enfants heureux .

De toute évidence, le bonheur est populaire. Mais le bonheur est-il toujours bon ? Se sentir trop bien peut-il être mauvais ? Les chercheurs commencent tout juste à explorer sérieusement ces questions, et pour cause : en reconnaissant les pièges potentiels du bonheur, nous pouvons le comprendre plus en profondeur et apprendre à promouvoir une vie plus saine et plus équilibrée.

Avec mes collègues Iris Mauss et Maya Tamir, j'ai passé en revue les recherches scientifiques récentes sur le côté obscur du bonheur et mené nos propres recherches sur le sujet. Ces études ont révélé quatre aspects du bonheur qui pourraient nous nuire.

1. Trop de bonheur peut vous rendre moins créatif et moins sûr de vous.

Il s’avère que le bonheur a un prix lorsqu’il est vécu trop intensément.

Par exemple, on nous dit souvent que le bonheur peut ouvrir notre esprit, favoriser une pensée plus créative et nous aider à résoudre des problèmes ou des énigmes. C'est le cas lorsque nous ressentons un bonheur modéré. Mais selon la méta-analyse de Mark Alan Davis de 2008 sur la relation entre humeur et créativité, lorsque les gens ressentent un bonheur intense, voire écrasant, ils ne ressentent plus le même regain de créativité. Et dans des cas extrêmes comme la manie, les gens perdent la capacité d'exploiter et de canaliser leurs ressources créatives intérieures. De plus, la psychologue Barbara Fredrickson a constaté qu'un excès d'émotions positives – et un manque d'émotions négatives – rend les gens inflexibles face aux nouveaux défis.

Non seulement un bonheur excessif anéantit parfois ses bienfaits, mais il peut même engendrer des dommages psychologiques. Pourquoi ? La réponse réside peut-être dans la finalité et la fonction du bonheur. Lorsque nous éprouvons du bonheur, notre attention se porte vers des choses stimulantes et positives de notre vie pour entretenir ce sentiment de bien-être. Lorsque nous nous sentons heureux, nous avons également tendance à nous sentir moins inhibés et plus enclins à explorer de nouvelles possibilités et à prendre des risques.

Poussons cette fonction du bonheur à l'extrême. Imaginez quelqu'un qui a une irrésistible tendance à ne s'intéresser qu'aux choses positives qui l'entourent et à prendre des risques énormes. Il pourrait avoir tendance à négliger les signes avant-coureurs de son environnement, ou à prendre des risques même lorsque les signes extérieurs suggèrent que les gains sont improbables.

Les personnes en état de surexcitation du bonheur adoptent des comportements plus risqués et ont tendance à ignorer les menaces, notamment la consommation excessive d'alcool, les crises de boulimie, la promiscuité sexuelle et la consommation de drogues. Dans une étude de 1993, le psychologue Howard S. Friedman et ses collègues ont constaté que les enfants d'âge scolaire, considérés comme « très joyeux » par leurs parents et leurs enseignants, présentaient un risque de mortalité plus élevé lorsqu'ils étaient suivis à l'âge adulte, peut-être parce qu'ils adoptaient davantage de comportements à risque.

Tous ces résultats mènent à une conclusion : le bonheur est peut-être meilleur lorsqu’il est vécu avec modération – ni trop peu, ni trop.

2. Le bonheur ne convient pas à toutes les situations.

Nos émotions nous aident à nous adapter aux nouvelles circonstances, aux nouveaux défis et aux nouvelles opportunités. La colère nous mobilise pour surmonter les obstacles ; la peur nous alerte des menaces et active notre système de préparation au combat ou à la fuite ; la tristesse signale une perte. Ces émotions nous permettent de répondre à des besoins particuliers dans des contextes précis.

Il en va de même pour le bonheur : il nous aide à poursuivre et à atteindre des objectifs importants et nous encourage à coopérer avec les autres. Mais tout comme nous ne souhaitons pas ressentir de la colère ou de la tristesse en toutes circonstances, nous ne devrions pas non plus rechercher le bonheur en toutes circonstances.

Comme l'a soutenu le psychologue Charles Carver, les émotions positives comme le bonheur nous signalent que nos objectifs sont atteints, ce qui nous permet de ralentir, de prendre du recul et de nous laisser porter par la compétition. C'est pourquoi le bonheur peut nous nuire en compétition. Des études éclairantes menées par Maya Tamir ont montré que les personnes joyeuses obtenaient de moins bons résultats que celles en colère lors de jeux vidéo compétitifs.

Dans mon propre laboratoire, nous avons découvert que les individus qui ressentent du bonheur dans des contextes inappropriés – comme regarder un film dans lequel un jeune enfant pleure ou cette scène de Trainspotting où Ewan McGregor fouille dans des toilettes dégoûtantes couvertes d’excréments – courent un risque plus élevé de développer le trouble émotionnel de la manie.

Josh Gosfield/Corbis

Le bonheur a un temps et un lieu : il ne convient pas à toutes les situations !

3. Tous les types de bonheur ne sont pas bons pour vous.

« Le bonheur » est un terme unique, mais il fait référence à un arc-en-ciel de différentes saveurs d’émotions : certaines nous rendent plus énergiques, d’autres nous ralentissent ; certaines nous font nous sentir plus proches des autres, d’autres nous rendent plus généreux.

Mais tous les types de bonheur favorisent-ils ces bienfaits ? Apparemment non. En réalité, une analyse plus nuancée des différents types de bonheur suggère que certaines formes peuvent être source de dysfonctionnement.

La fierté en est un exemple : un sentiment agréable associé à la réussite et à un rang ou un statut social élevé. À ce titre, elle est souvent perçue comme une émotion positive qui nous pousse à nous concentrer davantage sur nous-mêmes. La fierté peut être bénéfique dans certains contextes et sous certaines formes, comme remporter un prix prestigieux ou obtenir une promotion.

Cependant, mes recherches avec Sheri Johnson et Dacher Keltner montrent qu'un excès de fierté, ou une fierté sans véritable mérite, peut entraîner des conséquences sociales négatives, comme l'agressivité envers autrui, des comportements antisociaux et même un risque accru de troubles de l'humeur comme la manie. Les travaux en cours dans mon laboratoire, dirigés par l'étudiante diplômée Hillary Devlin, étayent l'idée fascinante selon laquelle les émotions positives centrées sur soi, comme la fierté, peuvent en réalité entraver notre capacité à faire preuve d'empathie ou à adopter le point de vue d'autrui dans les moments difficiles.

En résumé : certains types de bonheur peuvent parfois entraver notre capacité à nous connecter avec ceux qui nous entourent.

4. La poursuite du bonheur peut en réalité vous rendre malheureux.

Sans surprise, la plupart des gens aspirent au bonheur. Nous semblons programmés pour rechercher le bonheur, et c'est particulièrement vrai pour les Américains ; c'est même inscrit dans notre Déclaration d'indépendance.

Mais la recherche du bonheur est-elle saine ? Des travaux révolutionnaires d'Iris Mauss ont récemment soutenu l'idée contre-intuitive selon laquelle la recherche du bonheur pourrait en réalité faire plus de mal que de bien. En réalité, parfois, plus on recherche le bonheur, moins on semble pouvoir l'atteindre. Mauss montre que plus on aspire au bonheur, plus on est susceptible de se fixer des objectifs ambitieux, puis d'être déçu si ces objectifs ne sont pas atteints. C'est particulièrement vrai dans des contextes positifs, comme écouter une chanson entraînante ou regarder un extrait de film positif. C'est comme si plus on s'efforce d'éprouver du bonheur, plus il est difficile de se sentir réellement heureux, même dans des situations par ailleurs agréables.

Mes collègues et moi-même nous appuyons sur ces recherches, qui suggèrent que la quête du bonheur est également associée à de graves problèmes de santé mentale, comme la dépression et le trouble bipolaire. Il se pourrait que la recherche du bonheur rende certains d'entre nous fous.

Comment trouver un bonheur sain ?

Mais comment atteindre une bonne dose de bonheur ? C'est la question à un million de dollars.

Premièrement, il est important de ressentir le bonheur en quantité suffisante. Trop peu de bonheur est tout aussi problématique qu'un excès. Deuxièmement, le bonheur a un temps et un lieu, et il faut être attentif au contexte ou à la situation dans laquelle on le ressent. Troisièmement, il est important de trouver un équilibre émotionnel. On ne peut pas ressentir le bonheur au détriment d'émotions négatives, comme la tristesse, la colère ou la culpabilité. Toutes ces émotions font partie d'une recette complexe pour une bonne santé émotionnelle et nous aident à acquérir une perspective plus ancrée. L'équilibre émotionnel est crucial.

Enfin, il est important de rechercher et de vivre le bonheur pour les bonnes raisons. Trop se focaliser sur la recherche du bonheur comme une fin en soi peut être contre-productif. Plutôt que de chercher ardemment le bonheur, nous devrions nous efforcer d'accepter notre état émotionnel actuel, quel qu'il soit. Le véritable bonheur, semble-t-il, vient de la bienveillance envers les autres – et envers soi-même.

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27 PAST RESPONSES

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me123 Jun 13, 2012

This is an interesting and controversial article. I love stuff like this. First of all I do believe that too much happiness can be unhealthy, in a sence that too much water is unhealthy. you can die from too much water but it has to be gallons at one time. I think that just like a relationship if you don't argue every once in a while then how are you going to know you truly love the person and care for them.  As human beings we need different emotions, happy, sad, frustrated, infuriating; Without these emotions we can not love because we dont know what is good and what is bad. With the persuite of happeness i think the article pined the nail on the donkey with that one, as for everything else, i think they did not word it properly.  

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MegGuest Jun 5, 2012
As I read comments that criticize the article, I generally agree: problems with definition of happiness, over-emphasis on mania, surprising and I think challengable link to excessive risk choices because "happiness" might block mindful self-care.  At least one comment mentions a general feeling of "contentment" as a description of what might be meant by "happiness", and this resonates with me.   Others might add "feeling in harmony with oneself and relationship to larger world".  Still others might add "feeling a general personal confidence about oneself in relationship to larger world."One negative aspect of "happiness" I was surprised to *not* find is mentioned, but not developed. This is a link between an individual "happiness" and reduced ability to empathize.  The possibility of such a link is worthy of thought.  The culture has been through a few decades of individuals pursuing personal development, with emphasis on "individual" and "personal" .   In general, to my obse... [View Full Comment]
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Noor a.f May 29, 2012

mr Stanford of today's daily was annoyed. ms Tippett, doesn't know even smallest provocation that made Standford behave such uncontrolled behavior. you know, I didn't do anything bad. So why frightening again. The saddest thing is that Ms can't guess why you write that but she can understand you are annoyed. Review the causes please instead using force or strangling an innocent miss. She doesn't know car accidents or anything bad happened to you but she understands that you felt pain which she didn't cause. if it is that small statements "woman spoke up"which she apologized, accept apologies.  If you would like Ms completely truss in you, you have to talk where you believe she doesn't. It is simple and if you continue spinal things, you are forcing a Ms to become Mr. Ms really feels that you have some type of pain but she didn't cause-trust her.

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Noor a.f May 29, 2012

@Jeanine, am listening please. thank you

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Happiness 1st May 29, 2012

Pursuing happiness is not "BEing happy".

You are doing a disservice to people by this article.

Emotions are a sense, like taste, touch, smell, hearing and seeing.

Emotions come in response to thoughts.

They also provide guidance from your "Higher Self".

Your Higher Self sends you a message that says "that is the right direction" when you think a thought that feels better than the last thought you thought.

When your new thought feels worse the message is "You're going the wrong way now.  Turn around."

It is as simple as this and not listening to the guidance is never the right choice.

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Noor a.f May 28, 2012

@travelmmn:disqus pursuing happiness doesn't cause the two. I posit there can be relations like my case where happiness is pursued in dread. What do you think, they need to pursue? Some are said need marriage, some doctors, some divine. What do you think, Travelmmn?  

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travelernnn May 28, 2012

The assertion that research suggests that pursuit of happiness is associated with serious mental health problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder implies that pursuing happiness causes these disorders, but I would hope researchers would look into causality. I would posit that people with depression or bipolar disorder are more likely to pursue happiness, as they feel this is what they lack, which would lead to this association, not the other way around.  

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Noor a.f May 27, 2012

@3f80abfeff1e02b26cdef8954007e98c:disqus it was not wasted time. It was to knowledge and others might benefited it.
Thank you  

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Sundisilver May 27, 2012

As I was reading this, all I could think about was how wasteful is to spend so much time THINKING about why happiness is not good instead of just going out and living your life and stumbling onto little happy moments betwixt and between the others.   And then remembering to appreciate them instead of stopping to ask yourself if this is a happy moment or is this a moment that's not really good for me.   I think too much thinking about it sorta ruins the whole experience. 

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Noor a.f May 26, 2012

today's dailygood got me right. I remember operating a store of scientific research age 17. Mine wasn't nuclear but animals esp insects. My big problem was how I could keep people away from the store of the study. I was exactly like Taylor because the word "can't" I don't believe. Hazmat team and arrest isn't known and  never liked. It is always good to make understandable because one might cleaned family's contaminated for may be another family.what is the other please?catastrophic result? that is scaring and is not known. well, Taylor is with you and feels sorry for your time. Well, Washington can't say 'get this very small to die or to live with it for being honesty and stupid awesome."
 The story interested me I had forehead and eyes pain I thought Computer caused but didn't feel while I was reading today's daily.
Thank you

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Noor a.f May 25, 2012
@Kayee, well, I give my definition to the website of last night. Didn't it publish? I wrote a lot of explanations. And happy people connect people around them. but if happy people are busy on things they don't. it is a meaningful question. @be276523f26ecbd80bf429fabaafa852:disqus  , I followed the link but mbs ended anyway it was interesting how the guy talked. I will update unlimited internet. West striving materials, they are right because I one time tried a woman near her car. she was standing and I was practicing accent I just copied from a movie. So I wanted to greet her yet she saw me before. She just looked very innocent and changed the direction. I was really embarrassed because my intention wasn't to cause inconvenience. I then thought of how such issue could be addressed. I started a work. The work then threatened my well-being and sucked my savings. I then asked myself, do I deserve? I then continued not knowing realities because money lost in good is good. This story is no... [View Full Comment]
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Pat Armitstead May 25, 2012

My belief is that joy is all of it ...the very fact that we can experience all the emotions and can be at choice as to how we respond is joyful empowerment.  I like the whole notion of leading a happy, engaged and meaningful life...irrespective of current circumstances.  My radio program presents a holistic and integrated approach to wellbing, tapping into the sugnature strengths, multiple intelligences and using the art of improv ( acting) to be in the moment.  www.planetaudio.org.nz/radi...

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Rickaung May 25, 2012

The article completely misses the point about happiness. Happiness is never achieved by pursuing it. Achieving goals and material wealth gives a temporary feeling of well being but true happiness comes from within. The West seems obsessed with material gains and success believing when they have been achieved one will be happy but when one reaches the goal we change The goal Suggest listen to TED talk by Shawn Achor VERY FUNNY AND INFORMATIVE Check out this amazing TED Talk:

Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work
http://www.ted.com/talks/sh...

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Kayce May 24, 2012

I have never met a person who is constantly in a happiness mode.  Most people that I had ever, met seem to have a range of emotions.  This sounds like an article one had to write to get their name on something just to say they have something in print.  What is the writer's definition of happiness?  I would think contentment would be a very nice goal in life and would create a balanced life as well.  This could also be described as happiness.  Can a happy person really be hindered to connect with those around them, Really? 

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Noor a.f May 24, 2012

@facebook-100002669703787:disqus  we always do many things but we have to balance them. No one can be 100% good. but what I know is that the more we try to be good the more we are.

I posted a comment to http://smartliving365.com/?...
about happiness am not sure if it waits published.

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Alex Mart May 24, 2012
This article caught my eye because it follows the kind of "too much good is bad" scare tactic of a lot of healthy living articles.I really relate with the part about the pursuit of happiness. I've always been the ambitious type, people-pleaser, cheerful host. Almost my whole life, I've poured my energy into APPEARING happy to make other people around me feel good, to make other people around me feel like I had everything under control and the world on my side.Especially once I began Health Coaching as a career, I wanted people to see that I'd figured it all out and was living the dream life. Behind closed doors, though, I was super stressed, I was binge eating sweets at night, I was feeling like a failure and a fraud, and was deeply UNhappy.It took a lot of work and opening to see how I needed to take time and energy to nourish myself, relax and feed my own soul. I was giving and working way too much - trying to be a happy success - and starving myself of the stuff a happy life is made... [View Full Comment]
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Favik May 24, 2012

what else can i say. it is all a bulk of good writig and composite combination of intellectual make-up. just really likes it.

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fhet May 24, 2012

I believe it is better to BE happy than to PURSUIT happiness. Being happy means for me, being content with my life, appreciating what is around me and experience life every second as a great gift and chance. This also includes changing things that make me angry. Enjoy your lifes, everyone! It is the only one we've got.

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Kathy @ SMART LIving 365.com May 24, 2012

I agree that the blind pursuit of happiness can be problematic--that's because we often have opposing definitions of what it really means.  That's why I wrote a blog post that defines happiness in a way that makes it more sense of well-being than just a giddy emotion...if interested, here is a link to the article....  http://smartliving365.com/?...  

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Noor a.f May 24, 2012
great science. I was one of the people who were know excited all the times. I was and I like to be happy always. Well, I agree to be more happy can make one loose creativity and loose the idea of making development. As I said I overdrive happiness but if am to employ a worker I would prefer one who doesn't overdrive happiness. I understood mine 2005 I then decided to remain middle at schools and workplaces and when free or a lone I like to look what interests me or pleases me. I had 5 face books where I followed events different names. Most of my friends I meet personally and some of them I follow facebook and they don't know am following them. Because they comment and expect me to socialize with them and I can't. So I understood I might open facebook once in a month , they would think am not respecting them. I try what I want to do and if I fail I feel like I need to be nowhere. That is why I decided to live earth as a famous person or a rich. Without the two I I can't say life is wo... [View Full Comment]
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Doreen Platt (Stumblinn) May 24, 2012
This is the first time I have ever seen an absolutely ridiculous article on one of my favorite sites (Daily Good).   Just one of the many things in it that made no sense was "People in this heightened ‘happiness overdrive’ mode engage in riskier behaviors and tend to disregard threats, including excessive alcohol consumption, binge eating, sexual promiscuity, and drug use."People who are happy do not engage in " excessive alcohol consumption, binge eating, sexual promiscuity, and drug use."   That type of behavior is what people who are seeking a way to hide from their unhappiness engage in. I drink no alcoholic beverages, eat a healthy vegetarian diet of 1200 - 1400 calories a day (I'm 4'8"), am celibate and use no recreational drugs.  When I have a day that I am feeling down, I simply examine what I am feeling and what is going on in my life and use a variety of spiritual practices to rebalance myself,  supplemented with a healthy dose of laughter yoga as needed.   No, I ... [View Full Comment]
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Rev Nagi Mato May 24, 2012

I found this article confusing and focusing more on 'mania' then anything else. Happiness is a personal thing and most times cannot be 'measured'. I find studies like this (in my personal opinion) to be a waste of time. Any study can be made to say whatever you wish it to say, depending on the outcome you are looking for.
I do agree that to feel 'too much' happiness takes one out of balance. I am more interested in balance, not just 'happiness'.

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wbblinn May 24, 2012

This is interesting...there is a Russian writer named Vadim Zeland who wrote the "Reality Transurfing" books in which he describes the downside of creating what he calls "excessive potentials"  The book is eaoteric in every way, but so much of what he says makes sense and reading this article made me think of his books.  At Manifesting Greatness we are always walking that fine line of wanting something but always from a place of knowing it is already there (otherwise we are putting out the vibration of lack, which then is matched by the outer factual world).  It is so fascinating how this external outer world is constantly reflecting back to us our inner state of being, the question is are you working to manipulate the outer world by seeking happiness outside yourself, or is the quest one that starts from, and unfolds from, within.  The only way "happiness" could possibly be bad for us is because we've forgotten its ultimate source

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Rosie May 24, 2012

Thanks for the article, I found it really encouraging! It is good to be reminded that the acceptance of the whole of life is where we find balance.  Also, I am reminded of a church seminar I attended a few years ago which was titled 'The Pursuit of Happiness?'  The main lesson I got from that seminar was that happiness is not so much a goal, but more a side effect of a balanced and holistically healthy life, of which conciously treating other people as you would like to be treated (aka kindness!), is an integral part.  I remember thinking as a child that if everybody looked out for everybody else then everybody would be looked after - I find it hard to argue with my ten year old logic, now I just have to remember to keep my end up in the grown up world, where not everyone plays by that rule!

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deborah j barnes May 24, 2012
instead "of pursuing happinessitself"..i find that acknowledging that i am part of the greater whole oflife and at once and the same a unique being (i am) gives  me the courage to believe in my self and myreason to be “here.” This opens the path of seeking  the "genie" the gift we are all bornwith that we are wired to share with the world. This whole vision thinkingcreates a happy that thrives on the risks taken in “true direction” and opensour minds to new possibilities as we grow into our “beingness”   As this resonates with "knowing" - a thoughtemotion convergence zone nestled physically in the core - you know it when youfeel it!! Getting past our cultural boundaries is the hardest part; the oldbeliefs are always ready to pull one under. Acknowledge and look for solutions that are beyond the "down" As you bring your gift forward, your strength and happiness expand, it is so worth it!  Then be grateful…thank the universe for the dance!Just experiment, see what un... [View Full Comment]
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Sharon May 24, 2012

Maybe I'm not seeing what the definition of happiness is in this article?  I consider myself happy, most of the time.  And I equate that with being content with my life.  I trust people until I am proven wrong, I try to see good in everyone, and sometimes that is difficult.  I also try not to judge and criticize, and sometimes that's pretty difficult too!  But all in all, I like my life, and I think I'm pretty happy with it.

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Michael West May 24, 2012

This article is poorly thought out and a real disappointment. If there are different kinds of happiness, why save that for point 3? It would make more sense to identify them at the outset and discuss how they may differ and create different challenges. Really, this reads like an off-the-cuff meandering across the topic, not something to be taken seriously.