Predicting Happiness? Guess Again

By Gene Pinder

Think you can predict your future happiness?

Guess again.

A number of studies have consistently shown that we all incorrectly predict whether or not something in the future will make us happy.

Here's one quick example.

Associate professors were asked to estimate their overall level of happiness if they made tenure or were denied it. The results of the study? It found (at least in the short term) that those who were given tenure were less happy than they expected, and those professors who were denied tenure were actually happier than they predicted.

Think about that the next time you consider changing jobs or buying a new car. Will you be as happy as you think you will be? Probably not.

The same is true, by the way, for overly pessimistic predictions. We tend to be both overly optimistic and pessimistic. In fact, psychology author and researcher Dan Gilbert says that most events in our lives have a small impact that don't last very long.

Along those same lines -- most of us return to a state of personal happiness after some specific events. Some researchers have dubbed this the "hedonic treadmill." That is, something happens in your life which changes (sometimes dramatically) your well-being. Perhaps you win the lottery or get seriously injured in a car crash. But eventually, according to the experts, whether it's elation or sadness -- you eventually fall back into your normal range of happiness. That's why lottery winners over time don't report themselves any happier, even with the kind of cash most of us can only dream about.

Of course, other studies have pointed out that some people never return to their happiness "baseline." The loss of a spouse may seriously and permanently affect a person's well-being.

What's to be learned?

Keep an even keel when steering the waters of happiness and well-being.

Gene Pinder is the assistant director of an executive master's program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also the author of The Psychology of Satisfaction and Happiness, a blog focusing on the current science and research of well-being. A journalist and marketer by training, Gene is also an artist of original oils and acrylic paintings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gene_Pinder

Kinds Acts Promote Happiness

By Vince Chiles

Little things can and do make a big difference. It's often a thank you or please that can make someone's day. A smiling face can change a dismal mood, and a 'bless you' with a sneeze can remind us on what's really important. Little acts of kindness can change your world, and make it all seem better.

Kind deeds are good for the soul and spirit. When we routinely strive to be kind to ourselves and others we are investing in our happiness. People respond to generosity in kind. When you are regularly giving of good will, well wishes will be returned. Kind acts can be as simple as laughing when some one tells a joke, or letting some one in front of you while in line at the grocery store.

It is easy to be generous. Practicing kindness requires a willingness to give to yourself or others.
Tell yourself your plan or intention to be kind. Then act on your plan. If you follow these three steps everyday you will begin to find the rewards of giving - feeling good.

Caution, selfishness is not being kind to your self. Often we justify not giving as being generous to our selves, but this is just being stingy. You are kind to your self when you practice affirmative self-talk, take good care of your body through diet and exercise, and care for your spirit with hobbies, spirituality, or travel. Oh, and of course being kind to others is a form of self giving as well.

Vince Chiles, LCSW is the author of a self-published book Happiness in Five Minutes a Day which is scheduled to be released to the public 3/26/08. Information about Vince and his book can be obtained by going to http://www.happinessinfive.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vince_Chiles

Can Money Buy Happiness?

By Chen Chee Kui

If you ask me this question, I will say, yes, money can buy happiness.

But to be fair with everyone, let us define what is happiness. If your definition for happiness is to buy fast cars or a huge mansion when you have the money, then I think you will never be be happy even if you're a Gazillionaire. Bugatti might be the fastest and expensive car today, but who know if Lamborghini will come up with a new series that's going to beat the price and speed tomorrow?

For me, I am more than happy if I can make an amount of money to enable me spend more time with my family members and do the thing such as recording my own album, skateboarding, just anything that I am passionate about.

While it's true there are people who enjoy their work and passionate about it, there are also another group of people who would be very happy to replace their current salary with an alternative ways. I belong to the latter group. Don't misunderstand, my bosses are good fellas. I guess it's me. I just want to be financially free and not tied up to something routine and earn my money by showing up for work everyday. I said show up for work because, that's what it exactly is.

I have tried a lot of ways to achieve my goal. But most of the ideas and opportunities died a premature death. But, still, I never quit. I move on and continue searching.

I have been in MLM, but due to my job nature, I have to stop doing it, or else, I guess I would already be making a few thousand dollars by now. I know it can be achieved because my mentor was someone who earn at least RM40k every month for the past 5 years, that's about USD11.2k. That's less than what John Chow is earning, but, mind you, that's passive income!

I have lost a few thousands when I was scammed in HYIPs and Ponzis, but I was naive and crazy back then. For me, that was a learning phase, and I learn something from it. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. And it's better to stay away from it. I discover better ways to make money online - thru blogging and affiliate marketing.

The basic principle of making money online is the same like any other real business that is done offline. Learn about the ethical marketing strategies and apply it in your business model. It doesn't matter if you're promoting other people's product as an affiliate or if you're selling your own products, just make sure that you're willing to take calculated risk and be ready to get paid based on your performance. Work smart to achieve it. There's no such thing as free lunch.

So, back to our topic, YES, money can buy happiness. If you've failed miserably in your previous attempt to make money online, just move on and continue searching. Once you've found the method that is suitable with your personal values and able to make the amount of money you desire, congrats! Keep doing it, and don't feel bad about making lots of it.

Chee Kui is a Problogger and he aims to be a millionaire before he is 30 years old. Read his blog to find out how he will achieve his goal and make money online.

Dream Interpretation and Happiness

By Christina Sponias

The dreamer who dares to make the dangerous trip inside one's psychic sphere is the hero who is searching for happiness and wisdom in the darkness of the soul. The hero can get lost if he or she is not prudent but the hero can also find diamonds!

Carl Jung was very afraid of this journey into the soul, because he was the first one to discover this road. The treasure one finds at the end of the trip is enough to save the person and everyone around the person because one becomes wise and acquires psychic health. However, the dangers in the road are many, since craziness is always threatening everyone.

Jung couldn't see the dangers clearly. This is the reason why he had to stop at some point of the trip. He accepted ignorance and decided that the unconscious side that produces dreams is like a counsellor for the human being, who has to make decisions based on one's conscience.

Many people followed his example and I was one of them. However, I could not accept ignorance because the unconscious encouraged me to continue the research and scientific discoveries made in several different fields after Jung's death only confirmed the unconscious wisdom in other facets of reality.

So, I decided to completely trust the unconscious and abandon my human conscience, since I realized my conscience was selfish and egoistic. The unconscious' wisdom is doubtless because it has a saintly character. Sanctity and wisdom are in fact synonyms because they are dependent on one another.

A real wise person is also really saintly because there is only stupidity and suffering in evil. A saintly person is always wise, even if one doesn't have a good education or diplomas, because sanctity is based on goodness, piety, patience, sincerity, comprehension and sensitivity, which are also the basic components of wisdom.

Continuing the dangerous trip in the unknown region of the human psychic sphere, I discovered the evil primitive conscience that tries to destroy the human conscience through craziness. This is the danger that Jung was afraid of, but it doesn't come from the unconscious as he believed, but from the ancient part of the human conscience.

Completely trusting the unconscious guidance in my dreams, I could overcome schizophrenia and cure many people by interpreting their dreams and helping them solve their simple daily problems as a sister to them. The diamonds I found are sufficient to cure humanity completely.
However, each one has to find one's own diamonds alone; otherwise, the psychic sphere won't develop as it should, and one won't become really wise.

The diamonds are formed by psychological health, wisdom, goodness, physical health, balance, peace and happiness. They can save anyone and are eternal.

The trip inside the human psychic sphere is no longer the dangerous adventure described by Carl Jung, since the light of truth can now give us the protection we need. Now we know who the enemy is and how we can avoid its traps, until we eliminate its influence and energy, transforming this violent part of our conscience into a human and sensitive part that will be alarmed by terror and afraid of violence.

The human being has to be good, calm and comprehensive in order to be balanced and find happiness in life. In fact, one has to build one's own happiness, firstly transforming one's soul, so that one may improve the world and help everyone find happiness as well.

Prevent Depression and Craziness through the scientific method of Dream Interpretation discovered by Carl Jung and simplified by Christina Sponias, a writer who continued Jung's research in the unknown region of the human psychic sphere.
Learn more at: http://www.booksirecommend.com

Claim Your Happiness Today!

By Jessica Swanson

"The best way to secure future happiness is to be as happy as is rightfully possible today."-Charles W. Eliot

Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I will be happy. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! Once the bills are paid off and the job isn’t so stressful…then I’ll be happy. Everywhere you look there seems to be another stressful situation in your life. Here’s the problem: tomorrow your bills may be paid off and your job may be less stressful, but there WILL be another hurdle blocking your path to happiness. There always is.

What are you waiting for? Life is always going to be filled with little disappointments and frustrations. There’s no question about it. But, you need to know that until you decide to be happy today, you have no chance for happiness tomorrow.

This is your life. Look all around you and let that soak in. Your finances, your job, your relationships…all of it is your life right now. And so you have a choice to make. You can either wish and yearn for happiness someday, or seize it today.

Stop focusing on everything in your life that makes you sad and depressed. Do not give these parts so much attention! They certainly do not deserve your time and energy. When you focus on the stack of bills, the piles of laundry, the job that you didn't receive, you will continue to feel a sense of hopeless despair.

Instead focus on all the wonder and beauty that surround you. It is everywhere. You may have to look hard…but, you will find it. Give your single-minded attention to all the things that make you smile. Look at the tulips pushing through the ground in spring; focus on the wonderful night-out with your friend; appreciate when you are able to curl up with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. These are the events that deserve your attention.

The only way to guarantee happiness tomorrow is to consciously choose happiness today. That's right, it really is up to you. The external events in your life will always be there pushing against your hopes for peace and happiness. Don't allow them to push so forcefully into your life! You are in charge, not the outside world.

Stop thinking about tomorrow. Stop hoping that tomorrow will be better. Instead, be content with your life today, no matter what that life may look like.

Then, something miraculous will happen...you will find your happiness patiently waiting for you tomorrow!

Jessica Swanson is the author of Learn to Be Happy! To find out more about her happiness tips, tools and research, and to sign up for her FREE happiness e-zines, visit happiness-university.net