Friday, August 15, 2008

The article on happiness as requested...

The happiest people

So what makes us happy? Somewhat surprisingly, the older you get the happier you are -- until you reach very old age. According to a US study, the happiest age group is men 65 and older. The least happy group? Men aged from 18 to 29. The survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, also found:

- Married people are happier than singles.

- University graduates are happier than those without a university degree.

- People who are religious are happier than those who aren't.

- People who live in sun-belt areas are happier than those who don't

And what role does money play in determining happiness? Daniel Gilbert, author of the book "Stumbling on Happiness" told CNN that money helps to buy happiness -- but only to a degree.

"Our culture implores us to buy bigger, newer, better things, but research shows 'stuff' does not buy happiness. By and large, money buys happiness only for those who lack the basic needs. Once you pass an income of $50,000, more money doesn't buy much more happiness," Gilbert said.

What about people who are disabled? They are about as happy on a day-to-day basis as the general population, according to Gilbert.

And while many parents may vehemently disagree, Gilbert said that having children can have a negative effect on happiness. "When you follow people throughout their days, as they're going about their normal activities, people are about as happy interacting with their children, on average, as when they're doing housework. They're much less happy than when they're exercising, sleeping, grocery shopping, hanging out with friends," Gilbert told CNN. "Now, that doesn't mean they don't occasionally create these transcendent moments of joy that we remember as filling our days with happiness."

The failure to obtain happiness could also be the result of a faulty imagination or unrealistic expectations. Our imaginations fail us, Gilbert said, because when we envision different futures we see either perpetual gloom or happily ever-after scenarios. In fact, neither unhappiness nor joy last as long as we expect.

To better predict what will bring you happiness, Gilbert says to remember that people are not unique in what makes them happy.

"If I wanted to know what a certain future would feel like to me I would find someone who is already living that future," he said. "If I wonder what it's like to become a lawyer or marry a busy executive or eat at a particular restaurant my best bet is to find people who have actually done these things and see how happy they are."

Top 10 happiest countries

Here are the top 10 happiest countries, according to the CNN report:

1. Denmark

2. Switzerland

3. Mexico

4. Canada

5. United States

6. United Kingdom

7. Venezuela

8. Nigeria

9. China

10. Japan

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Chub the Purple Frog


Here is a short story about Chub the Purple Frog written by Michelle at work while trying fill the last hour of her day:)

Once upon a time...there was a frog...he was purple.  This made all the other frogs laugh at him.
Purple was not a very "froggy" color.  So, Chub (the unfortunately purple frogs name) was sadly hopping along one day...trying to avoid the other "normally green" frogs when he hopped right into a bucket.  Chub looked up and there staring down at him was a HUGE pale yellow face!!
 "You are a strange looking frog" said the Face.
Chub replied..."Ya well, what are ya going to do?"
"Did you just speak?"
"Ya, all frogs can talk"
"Really?"
"Listen Face, I don't mean to be rude but what is your plan here?"
"You are rude.  A very rude, purple frog"
Chub just shrugged his little froggy shoulders.  He waited and waited while the Face just did her thing.  
"Ok frog, you can go.  I want a NORMAL frog"
So Chub hopped away.  He later met up with the other frogs and told them his story.  The next day when Chub went out he noticed something very strange.  ALL the frogs looked purple, or blue or yellow or orange.   "What's this all about?" he asked.  "Safety!!" they shouted!!

The end!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Excited!

Excited about many things to come...

So many things to think about now, hard to concentrate on anything else really:)

Also about Toronto - can't wait!!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Made me giggle:)

THE HEAVIEST ELEMENT

Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science: The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert, however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction normally taking less than a second, to take from four days to four years to complete. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium (Am), another just-discovered element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Chuck Wilcox 

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

4th place isn't so bad:)

Top 10 happiest countries

Here are the top 10 happiest countries, according to the CNN report:

1. Denmark

2. Switzerland

3. Mexico

4. Canada

5. United States

6. United Kingdom

7. Venezuela

8. Nigeria

9. China

10. Japan

Monday, August 04, 2008

August long...

Fantastic long weekend:)  Dinners, movies, hikes, breakfast out, and an afternoon of kayaking (about 4 1/2 hours)!  It was great - too short and I am so tired now! 

Didn't get any photos from the hike, but here are a few shots of kayaking...




Photos: jbrandick

Saturday, August 02, 2008

So true.

Life plans.  How we all make them.  How we hope that our kids make good, smart, safe plans of their own.  But if we're really honest with ourselves most of the time our plans don't work out as we hoped.  So instead of asking our young people: what are your plans?  What are you going to do with your life?  Maybe we should tell them this:  Plan to be surprised.

From "Dan In Real Life"

Something to think about.  Something to take into consideration.  Something you should let happen.  Sometimes the best laid plans have something thrown in you aren't expecting, but, when you really look at it, see what it is, open your eyes, and are willing to take the chance, you will be surprised.  And that is a good thing, a very good thing. 

:)