Three equations for a happy life

“We need to learn how to want what we have, NOT to have what we want in order to get steady and stable Happiness” - The 14th Dalai Lama

Thanks to Alan Anzai, AFM and Sacramento’s elected director, for sharing this article from The Atlantic titled “The Three Equations for a Happy Life, Even During a Pandemic” by Arthur C. Brooks. It’s worth the entire read but I’ll summarize it here for you: #1: Subjective well-being = genes + circumstances + habits. We are born with a set point for our subjective sense of well-being and it accounts for about half of our happiness. According to Brooks, circumstances account for anywhere from 10 percent (a figure I’ve seen a lot) to 40 percent (sounds high). This leaves habits, which can be cultivated. #2: Habits = faith + family + friends + work. Any faith or secular life philosophy. Family and friends are where we build deep, long-lasting relationships that bring us joy and meaning. What kind of work? Work that gives us a sense that we are earning our success and helping others. #3: Satisfaction = what we have / what we want. A life focused on accumulating the most toys is a futile “hedonic treadmill.” Better to get simple and decrease the denominator, during a pandemic, and always.

Jan Buchczik