[Snorman]

Originally Posted by sdaddy

I am more of a believer that every man has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness than a socialist or communist. I don't believe that material goods necessarily lead to greater happiness.

The US ranks 16th in the world in happiness and 24th in the world in lifespan.

Additional findings on how individuals rate their level of happiness from the survey that rated the US 16th are as follows:

"Factors that make people happy may vary from one country to the next with personal success and self-expression being seen as the most important in the US, while in Japan, fulfilling the expectations of family and society is valued more highly.

The survey appears to confirm the old adage that money cannot buy happiness.

PATH TO HAPPINESS

Genetic propensity to happiness
Marriage
Make friends and value them
Desire less
Do someone a good turn
Have faith (religious or not)
Stop comparing your looks with others
Earn more money
Grow old gracefully
Don't worry if you're not a genius

The researchers for World Values Survey described the desire for material goods as "a happiness suppressant".

They say happiness levels have remained virtually the same in industrialised countries since World War II, although incomes have risen considerably".

This may indicate that once basic needs are met, that working harder for additional and less necessary material goods may not improve an individuals sense of happiness. At some point, things you own comes to own you as well and you may not find time to enjoy or appreciate them.

Mmmhmmm....
BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Nigeria tops happiness survey
S.