THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

While others used the term before, Thomas Jefferson (who, apparently hated flies...he would not like Lanai) is generally given credit for THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, from his original Declaration of Independence draft:  Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Clearly, happiness is subjective, but in the USA, the accumulation of wealth is a major source of pleasure, for in 2007, Gallup showed that 72% of people who made $75,000 or more annually said they were happy.  There is even a blog site on Gross National Happiness USA.

In 1972, Dragon King Jigme Sigye Wangchuck (left), using this phrase to signal a commitment to culture and spiritual values, rejected Gross Domestic Product, and replaced it with their Gross National Happiness Index.  You can read their 96-page Index "short" guide should you wish.  In 2004, the First International Conference on Gross National Happiness was held in Bhutan.  The second in 2005 in Nova Scotia, Canada, third (2007) in Bangkok, Thailand, fourth (2008) back to Bhutan, fifth (2009) in Fox do Iguacu, Brazil, sixth (2012) in Bhutan.  Few celebrated, but 20March2013 was International Happiness Day, from a resolution passed by the United Nations.

Bhutan was founded more than 350 years ago, and the current king is 33-year old (has been serving for seven years) Jigme Khesar Namgyel (photo above).

The current issue of TIME (July  8-15, 2013) is on the pursuit of happiness.  Some noteworthy points:

• The USA ranks #23 on a 50-country happiness index, trailing countries like Vietnam, Tanzania and Malaysia. #1 Iceland, #2 New Zealand, #3 Denmark. The former USSR countries, including Russia, are very unhappy.  Interesting that South Korea, Japan and Germany are near the bottom.
• Serotonin and dopamine are feel good neurotransmitters, where functional magnetic resonance imaging shows precisely which portions of your brain tell determine if you are happy or not.
• You can buy happiness, which certainly contradicts item one above.
• Doubling your income from $75,000 to $150,000 will not double your happiness.
• Republicans, more who tend to be married and religious, are happier than Democrats.
• White and Hispanic Americans are happier than Black Americans.
• Women are happier than men.
• 50% of Americans are optimists, 4% are pessimists.
• Praying/meditating and helping others improve your mood more than eating, shopping and having sex.
• Last year, three times more Afghanistanians were happy than not.
• The economic boom in China has made people LESS satisfied.
• In war torn Somalia, 80% of their youth are happy.
• Women in Brazil are particularly happy.
• Although a third of the population are below the poverty line, Panama is among the happiest nations.
• People tend to be happy in their youth and golden years, with a dip at mid-life.

I don't reflect well most of the above.  Contrary to ordinary expectations, I would say at this writing that my happiness is at an all time peak high.  Wealth is relative, and my priority is to spend what I have while I can, for the end is not that far away.  It was more than "Gratitude...Not Grief" that has affected my psychology.  I was always around my family growing up, with roommates in college, got married at 22, and lived with Pearl for 47 years.  Maybe this is rationalization, but I appreciated her giving me total freedom for the final period of my life.  I enjoy living a life of total independence.  I just yesterday decided to spend three nights in Kaanapali (right), Maui next weekend, for I haven't been there in a couple of decades.  I will go golfing as soon as I post this article.  Life is wonderful and I am happy.

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