HAPY HAPPY;BLOG # 2165; nov 30, 2018

THE MESSAGE:

It stands to reason that happy people should be in better physical and mental shape and generally healthier. It follows then that they would be well educated, gainfully employed, and more productive. Thus I conclude   that happiness is closely related  to success in life.

THE BLURB:

HOWEVER, are these the only factors that ultimately lead to the feelings of satisfaction and resignation. Surely not! We also find ourselves immersed in the concerns surrounding environmental conditions, social connections, political voice, security and the realities of world conflict and poverty.



Western societies are more and more concentrated on the mantra that  becoming significantly happier is achievable and sustainable. Politicians thrive on this concept and unabashedly promise much in their pursuit of power. 

Is it not reasonable to include the concepts of love, being thankful, compassion, kindness, optimism, moderation and mediation. These realities are very significant in determining our 'quality of life'. 

I believe that moderation is a valuable tool. Overemphasis on achieving happiness can lead to a relentless pursuit of self satisfaction and eventual ignorance.

FAMILY IS LOVE:

Where does love fit into the grand scheme of Happiness?

In The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevsky's primary concern is not with an abstract ‘love of humankind’. Here his focus is on an active love that teaches the reader  how to love individual human beings, with all their frailties and flaws.  

One of the brothers,  Ivan Karamazov, was not so much an articulate atheist but someone who hated God for allowing so much suffering in life.

In 'Wild Montana Skies', John Denver and Emmylou Harris metaphorically sing  of a young man blessed with maternal love but later orphaned. He is sustained by love. A mothers love cannot be replaced and will always guide a person throughout life.

How much energy is wasted in our lives by an obsessive hatred of A person, or  different religions or institutions? 

WELL BEING IN LIFE

The United nations and other government initiatives have resulted in annual surveys and studies that measure the happiness levels in Western societies.

According to the World Happiness Report, of March 2018,  it was determined that Finland is the happiest country in the world. Norway, last year's winner, came in second place followed by Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland.The Netherlands came in sixth place this year, followed by Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia. The United States landed in 18th place, dropping four spots from last year.
  

Sociologists generally agree that happiness in life can be attributed to a healthy and realistic balance between work and life. Here is what I have found on how to achieve a healthy work life balance. 

Step 1: Prioritize work tasks. Determine the most urgent tasks for the day and allocate sufficient time to complete them.  

Step 2:  Structure time at work.  

Step 3:  Take breaks during the work day.  

Step 4: Make use of annual holidays to recharge.
Step 5:  Leverage technology to work smarter.

THE QUESTION:

Are government or political systems actually capable of creating happiness among the citizens?

THE LEMON:

Whom would you select?

EVIL IS AS EVIL DOES 

Each villain is an avatar of evil, a partial actor of a very complex part. Each of us is capable both of understanding that part, and of acting it out, in our darkest times.

THE QUOTE:

"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved."

George Sand

THE CLIP: