The How of Happiness

The How of Happiness 

In this book Sonja Lyubomirsky describes what factors determines happiness. And in general I agree with pie graph. picture :

50% - genetic set point

40% - Intentional activities

10% - Life circumstances

But if the genetic set point and life circumstances we cannot change  the factor “Intentional activities” can make a lot to change the percentages in that graph. In my opinion this factor is depended and is in positive relationship with two other factors:  general education and internal willpower. Everybody has a critical point of view about life circumstances and what they inherit between their genes. The more educative cultivation people have and the more willpower they have the better intentional activities they will have. For example if they don’t agree with something that is genetic (…being shy person…) they can try to change because they believe in other kind of attitude. And they can be different from their genes if they have also willpower and persistence to change.

Sonja mentioned 12 types of activities that contribute in happiness: Expressing gratitude, Cultivating Optimism, Avoiding over thinking and social comparison, Practicing Acts of kindness, Nurturing social relationships, Developing Strategies for Coping, Learning to forgive, Increasing Flow experiences, Savoring Life’s joys, Committing to your goals, Practicing Religion and Spirituality, Taking Care of your body. Another thing that can contribute in happiness is the inner beauty. There are people that like to do this kind of activities (ex. Expressing gratitude) and they fill it inside themselves but they don’t express that to the others. People can be happier and can make their life more beautiful if they try to make the others see their inner beauty.

Majlinda Mici