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This week, we are discussing:
Happiest nation in the world?
Really?
So the OECD have just released their results of national happiness and Australia tops the list. Apparently Australia is the happiest nation in the world based on factors such as housing, income, jobs, environment, education and other factors. And yet I travel to the city most days on the train many people do not look happy. And if you are happy and smile at people many people look uncomfortable with these signs of happiness.
The happiness scale that measures national happiness perhaps needs to look at things that don't cost money. The intangibles, that can't be measured in money, might be the things that are more responsible for happiness. When was the last time that you just stopped and smelled a flower, enjoyed how it looks, felt the texture of it? When was the last time you got the giggles with a friend, laughed until you cried, ended up in tears and your sides hurt? Both of these things can make us feel amazing and have little to do with what work we do, what education we have had or what home we live in.
Income can have an effect on happiness and in Australia we are very fortunate to have not been too badly affected by the GFC, however money can only do so much. Studies have shown that income has an impact on happiness only to a certain point. Earnings above a certain number do not guarantee happiness and can even make people feel less happy.
So, if you, like me, are tired of seeing sad people when you are out and about, take the challenge this week to be happy. Smile for no reason, smile at other people, have a closer look at all the beautiful things that surround you and smile when you hear your favourite song. Show the world that we are happy not becuase of all those external factors, but because we are grateful for the things, people and experiences we get to have around us every day.
have a great week.
Til next time
Sherry
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