Happiness

Last summer for my stay in China, I packed a book, "The Geography of Bliss" in to my reading bag. The author, Eric Weiner, traveled the world, starting at a happiness research center in the Netherlands to study the happiest places on earth. His sometimes wise, always witty description of his journey takes him down rabbit trails of money, success, health and family, but doesn't come up with the ultimate formula for happiness. He tip toes around the facts he gives that religious people/people who worship are happier, but doesn't give that much credence. A thought provoking book...

Last week Larry shared a David Brooks article (NY Times) about happiness. He wrote that people who are married have a happiness boost that equals a $100,000 pay increase. He said people who have a group of friends they meet with once a month (or more) are 50% happier than whose who don't. He continues on with more research to finally conclude that it is the people in your life that engender happiness.

Which reminds me of the idea Chuck Swindoll used often when he was at the church-- The only two things in life that are eternal are people and God's word-- We should invest our time and energy in those two. I can't forget that at my father's funeral 1,000 people came to honor the time he had invested in them. That, for me, was a picture of a life of godly happiness.