Again, happiness as a measure of success
Published Nov 24, 2018 12:05 am
PAGBABAGO
By FLORANGEL ROSARIO BRAID
Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid
The recent visit of Dr. Saandu Chetri, founder and former executive director of Bhutan Centre of Happiness, to the country is timely, especially today when our people are experiencing anxieties over some political decisions, and at the same time wrestling with environmental challenges as well as issues of economic survival.
This “guru” of happiness and “mindfulness” reminded us that we must continually pursue and nurture -- caring for one another, sharing, knowing who we are, and being true to oneself. He stressed the importance of the four pillars of the Centre which undertakes interdisciplinary research on Gross National Happiness (GNH), a holistic concept that balances material with non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. These pillars are good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of culture, and environmental conservation.
Bhutan, a country of 800,000 people landlocked between India and China,and located in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia, has shown an example of what sustainable development and environmental protection require. It had taken great measures in becoming “carbon negative” while most countries are still trying to reduce their carbon emissions. It has banned the sale and consumption of tobacco. Though rich in biodiversity, it is still highly vulnerable to natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. More than 12 percent of its population lives below the poverty line and more than one third of its people suffer from food insecurity.
Yet, it has fiercely guarded its traditions and cultural identity and has remained committed to the pursuit of happiness.
A few years ago, eminent economists, among them Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and development economist Jeffrey Sachs, led the movement towards GNH with the UN General Assembly adopting a resolution calling for a study of the pursuit of happiness and how it can be used to advance the UN Millennium Development Goals.
A World Report on Happiness comes out annually, and the 2018 GNH Report on 156 countries showed that Finland ranked first, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway . The study was based on six variables that support wellbeing, namely income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity. Over the years, the top four have maintained their ranking. But there have been considerable changes with countries that did not fare too well. Among those at the near bottom, Togo was the biggest gainer while Venezuela was the biggest loser. Another study of countries that had immigrants showed a similar state of wellbeing of their immigrants with the rest of the population.
A study on happiness by the American Enterprise Institute showed that (a) women were happier than men; (b) that genes matter as one-half of those surveyed had shown considerable genetic influence; and (c) that rewarding work contributes to happiness and success.
Finally, here are lessons from a study of 724 men initiated 75 years ago. The survey tracked the lives of these men and found that 75 years later, only 60 of the original 724, had passed away. The rest, who were found to be physically and mentally healthy said that what kept them alive and happy was that they had satisfying relationships. The lesson from this study was that it was important to be connected, to spend quality time with loved ones and friends that they can trust.
My e-mail, [email protected]
Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid
The recent visit of Dr. Saandu Chetri, founder and former executive director of Bhutan Centre of Happiness, to the country is timely, especially today when our people are experiencing anxieties over some political decisions, and at the same time wrestling with environmental challenges as well as issues of economic survival.
This “guru” of happiness and “mindfulness” reminded us that we must continually pursue and nurture -- caring for one another, sharing, knowing who we are, and being true to oneself. He stressed the importance of the four pillars of the Centre which undertakes interdisciplinary research on Gross National Happiness (GNH), a holistic concept that balances material with non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. These pillars are good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of culture, and environmental conservation.
Bhutan, a country of 800,000 people landlocked between India and China,and located in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia, has shown an example of what sustainable development and environmental protection require. It had taken great measures in becoming “carbon negative” while most countries are still trying to reduce their carbon emissions. It has banned the sale and consumption of tobacco. Though rich in biodiversity, it is still highly vulnerable to natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. More than 12 percent of its population lives below the poverty line and more than one third of its people suffer from food insecurity.
Yet, it has fiercely guarded its traditions and cultural identity and has remained committed to the pursuit of happiness.
A few years ago, eminent economists, among them Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and development economist Jeffrey Sachs, led the movement towards GNH with the UN General Assembly adopting a resolution calling for a study of the pursuit of happiness and how it can be used to advance the UN Millennium Development Goals.
A World Report on Happiness comes out annually, and the 2018 GNH Report on 156 countries showed that Finland ranked first, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway . The study was based on six variables that support wellbeing, namely income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity. Over the years, the top four have maintained their ranking. But there have been considerable changes with countries that did not fare too well. Among those at the near bottom, Togo was the biggest gainer while Venezuela was the biggest loser. Another study of countries that had immigrants showed a similar state of wellbeing of their immigrants with the rest of the population.
A study on happiness by the American Enterprise Institute showed that (a) women were happier than men; (b) that genes matter as one-half of those surveyed had shown considerable genetic influence; and (c) that rewarding work contributes to happiness and success.
Finally, here are lessons from a study of 724 men initiated 75 years ago. The survey tracked the lives of these men and found that 75 years later, only 60 of the original 724, had passed away. The rest, who were found to be physically and mentally healthy said that what kept them alive and happy was that they had satisfying relationships. The lesson from this study was that it was important to be connected, to spend quality time with loved ones and friends that they can trust.
My e-mail, [email protected]