Comments on: Pissed-Off About Happiness http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2009/10/pissed-off-about-happiness/ Newsletter Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:20:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Dr. Gina http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2009/10/pissed-off-about-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Dr. Gina Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:33:41 +0000 http://www.manageangerdaily.com/?p=276#comment-58 Good point Kelly. One of the most important discoveries in psychology is that feelings follow behavior. If we act in a compassionate and caring way, we increase our feelings of compassion and caring. Good point Kelly. One of the most important discoveries in psychology is that feelings follow behavior. If we act in a compassionate and caring way, we increase our feelings of compassion and caring.

]]> By: Kelly R http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2009/10/pissed-off-about-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Kelly R Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:39:37 +0000 http://www.manageangerdaily.com/?p=276#comment-57 I can attest to the truth about giving to others being a powerful tool toward building happiness in yourself. Just thinking about another person in a more positive way and trying to understand why they are the way they are, makes you feel better. But the ACTS of giving are the most powerful. Letting someone in your lane during heavy traffic, smiling at people as you walk into the grocery store, telling the assistant at the pharmacy how efficient and fantastic they are at their job and watching their faces change makes you feel better. But on a deeper level, making conscious changes in our behavior toward family members, co-workers, school mates, teachers and friends carries benefits that are lasting. If someone makes you feel good or does something kind - tell them! If they are looking especially nice and you think it - tell them! If they look down or stressed, ask them about it and REALLY listen. What you get back is priceless. I can attest to the truth about giving to others being a powerful tool toward building happiness in yourself. Just thinking about another person in a more positive way and trying to understand why they are the way they are, makes you feel better. But the ACTS of giving are the most powerful. Letting someone in your lane during heavy traffic, smiling at people as you walk into the grocery store, telling the assistant at the pharmacy how efficient and fantastic they are at their job and watching their faces change makes you feel better. But on a deeper level, making conscious changes in our behavior toward family members, co-workers, school mates, teachers and friends carries benefits that are lasting. If someone makes you feel good or does something kind – tell them! If they are looking especially nice and you think it – tell them! If they look down or stressed, ask them about it and REALLY listen. What you get back is priceless.

]]> By: Dr. Gina http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2009/10/pissed-off-about-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Dr. Gina Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:54:09 +0000 http://www.manageangerdaily.com/?p=276#comment-56 Well said Gary! And thanks for sharing your wit. Laughter helps us turn toward joy. Now about that bruised banana... Well said Gary! And thanks for sharing your wit. Laughter helps us turn toward joy. Now about that bruised banana…

]]> By: Gary Martin http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2009/10/pissed-off-about-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Gary Martin Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:03:34 +0000 http://www.manageangerdaily.com/?p=276#comment-55 According to some recent findings... and I'm not sure where they were found or who actually found them... although I am sure the finders are keepers as the expression goes. And you just know the finders are very smart people, some of whom where white coats, have beakers/will travel, and know math. Wherever the smart people found the findings, they found that one of the biggest reasons a person is unhappy is because they want something they can't have. Like a pet monkey or a paddle boat. The second biggest reason a person is unhappy is because they imagine that other people have something they don't. Like a tax shelter or a happy family. The unhappy person doesn't realize that the happy person has just as many reasons to be unhappy as the unhappy person, but doesn't react the same to minor irritations. Happy people spill iced tea in their laps or hot coffee on the seat of their new car. But those little events don't ruin their day. Whereas the unhappy person thinks that fate gave them the bruised banana to remind them they were not meant to enjoy life. Have you ever noticed that when you're early for an appointment all the lights are green? And when you're running late, all the lights are red? I'm not saying the difference between happiness and unhappiness is all perception. But I bet a lot of it is. You know. The optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds. And the pessimist fears that is true. According to some recent findings… and I’m not sure where they were found or who actually found them… although I am sure the finders are keepers as the expression goes. And you just know the finders are very smart people, some of whom where white coats, have beakers/will travel, and know math.

Wherever the smart people found the findings, they found that one of the biggest reasons a person is unhappy is because they want something they can’t have. Like a pet monkey or a paddle boat. The second biggest reason a person is unhappy is because they imagine that other people have something they don’t. Like a tax shelter or a happy family.

The unhappy person doesn’t realize that the happy person has just as many reasons to be unhappy as the unhappy person, but doesn’t react the same to minor irritations. Happy people spill iced tea in their laps or hot coffee on the seat of their new car. But those little events don’t ruin their day. Whereas the unhappy person thinks that fate gave them the bruised banana to remind them they were not meant to enjoy life.

Have you ever noticed that when you’re early for an appointment all the lights are green? And when you’re running late, all the lights are red?

I’m not saying the difference between happiness and unhappiness is all perception. But I bet a lot of it is. You know. The optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds. And the pessimist fears that is true.

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