Tag: Happiness

Does social media make us happier?

~ James Riddett ~ Leave a comment

Dee asks…

“Does social media make us happier? I’m wondering if deleting my social media accounts would help with OCD and anxiety.”

© Tom Bream
© Tom Bream

Ask yourself: “Does social media move me towards or away from health and peace of mind?” (the big causes of happiness).

If social media is a distraction, a stress, if time runs away from you and you keep missing your morning smoothies or your lunch salad, then it’s a problem.

Continue reading “Does social media make us happier?” →

Is happiness a choice?

~ Michael Kinnaird ~ Leave a comment

happiness is a choice

I see this idea floating around the web, especially on social media a lot. Is happiness really a choice? If you’re depressed are you really choosing that state willingly? It kind of reminds me of the type of advice depressed people used to get all the time — “just snap out of it,” or “pull yourself together.” As if. If a depressed person were to see this idea, I think it would make them feel worse not better.  Continue reading “Is happiness a choice?” →

The elusive secret of happiness

~ Michael Kinnaird ~ 48 Comments

Elusive secret of happiness
Elusive secret of happiness

A quick search on the internet reveals some confusion about what the secret of happiness actually is…

  • Keep changing something if you’re not happy, until you are (what exactly to change is missing information).
  • Make others believe they are the cause of it (!?)
  • Count your blessings while others are adding to their troubles.
  • Admire without desiring (!?)
  • Not to chase it. It’s like a butterfly so you must pay attention to other things and it will land on your shoulder (a smidgen of truth, but largely useless information).

These web results leave me dumbfounded! These aren’t the way to happiness, they’ll just confuse someone in genuine need of advice that works… Continue reading “The elusive secret of happiness” →

How do you measure success in life?

~ Michael Kinnaird ~ 1 Comment
How do you measure success in life?
How do you measure success in life?

Are you happy? If the answer is YES, then you’re successful. Happiness is the only valid measure of success, because the reason people believe they need lots of money for example, is because they think it will make them happier.

Having lots of money is a nice thing — it means you don’t have to worry about money. But having a fatter wage check, a bigger house or a better car… these things alone won’t make you happy, not in the long run.

I’ve known millionaires who were desperately unhappy, despite having every possession they could ever want. Is that a successful life?

There’s nothing wrong whatsoever with having beautiful things or being rich. The point is whether we are seeking the material to fill an empty void within that can’t be filled with these things. That just doesn’t work.

Continue reading “How do you measure success in life?” →