Remember when menopause was the newest new thing? You'd think it was some scientific breakthrough or archeological discovery that would change the course of our lives.
Today, the newest new thing is happiness. Defining it, finding and keeping it has emerged as a new industry. Comparing happiness quotients around the world is daily media fare.
Research shows the so-called "set point" for happiness is 50 percent genetic. After that, our circumstances in life such as gender, age, relationships and how we get to spend our time are what contribute the other half of the happiness quotient. Apparently, we can only be just so happy, thanks to our genetic makeup.The impact of circumstance just moves us up or down within the genetic band.
Searching for happiness is like chasing your tail. As long as you're chasing it, it's continually out of reach. I'm amazed at how gullible we are, turning to 'happiness experts' who spout cliches - appreciate, enjoy, be grateful, etc. We assume that they are must know more about happiness than we do.
Maybe it's the times we live in. The Declaration of Independence doesn't guarantee happiness. It guarantees the right to pursue it. I don't know about you, but pursuing anything makes me unhappy.
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