I didn’t know March 20 was World Happiness Day, but suspected more than coincidence at work last Saturday when I noticed two articles on happiness.
First, Jeffrey Simpson reported that Canada ranked No. 6 on the World Happiness Report, behind smaller European countries (Danes May Be The World’s Happiest, But We’re Pretty Close – March 19). When I saw the criteria used to measure national happiness – ranging from objective data (GDP per capita, life expectancy) to more subjective measures (generosity, perceptions of corruption), my reaction was “humbug.” These don’t measure happiness; they indicate the life circumstances of the country which could or should influence how individuals feel about their lives. From my experience with people in our privileged society with its many positive life circumstances, I’d say fewer than half would de-scribe themselves as happy 80 per cent of the time.
The second article was the review of The Happiness Equation (Does This Man Know The Secret To Happiness? Books, March 19). I have now read Neil Pasricha ’s book, and noted in it in particular his reference to research in The How of Happiness that only 10 per cent of our happiness is based on our life circumstances and 90 per cent is based on our attitude to our circumstances or how we see the world.
So before we puff up our collective chests about how happy Canada is, keep in mind we placed sixth on criteria that are only a small part of the big picture. It is up to each of us to deal with the more significant 90 per cent. For those needing a boost, Mr. Pasricha’s book offers interesting strategies.
Bryan McConachy, West Vancouver
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