Mar 4, 2011 -- 7:47AM, mytmouse57 wrote:

Happiness isn't so much a choice, as a constant series of choices. It's how you react to each situation throughout the day as it comes up.

"Is this worth getting upset over?" That's a question that one can ask oneself literally thousands of times each day.

Like anything else worth having, it takes work.

+1

I agree with mytmouse, too.  And it's not the first time we've agreed on something, either.   (I would have used the smile icon, except that those don't seem to work anymore.  Assume that I am smiling.)

50% of our happiness comes from genetics
10% of our happiness comes from circumstances
40% of our happiness is something we can control!

Here are 7 characteristics of 'naturally happy people':
Optimistic
Savor life
Spiritual
Have goals
Helpful
Have good social support
Gratitude

We can change characteristics. If you have no goals, set some. If you are pessimistic, try reframing your pessimism, start showing gratitude, start being helpful in your community (ie volunteering), get some friends or find a club to belong to for social support. Start meditating.

Another interesting fact: in a Canadian study, it was found that the highest happiness rates were [self] reported in Newfoundland, which is the poorest province, but the most community and socially minded. The most unhappy people in Canada are from Alberta, which is the richest province but also the one with the most stress, highest divorce rate and least social programming and support.

Sonja Lyubomirsky is a psychologist and an expert on happiness, and these are her findings.