Gratitude Improves Attitude
While Inglehart does not profess to know the true secrets of happiness, he says that this most recent study has made the picture a bit clearer. In his opinion, benevolence and expressions of gratitude appear to be subtle but powerful ways to bring happiness into one’s life and to extend it. Religion and solidarity in the community play a big role in this, he says, but any positive belief system can help. “Latin America seems to understand this,” he says.
“In the old days I would have told you to work hard and save your money,” says Inglehart. “It’s different today. I just haven’t nailed it down yet.”
This is the third and last post in this vein.
I’m a real fan of happiness and I get excited when people are able to understand, measure and work to promote ‘happiness’. I’ve often thought that if we could isolate the gene that makes dogs so happy (especially the Cocker Spaniel) then we’d be onto something. Surely being happy (or deliriously happy in the spaniels case) is more important that looking young? No, apparently not.
Happiness has a lot to do with values; freedom of choice, gender equality, tolerance and not simply wealth. It’s great that scientists are now able to measure happiness. In fact it’s got the stage that you can even study happiness at Harvard.
Are we, the people, really happier or are we simply giddy with relief that happiness is finally being taken seriously?
Either way, the 2008 World Values Survey is an interesting read with some valuable insights.
