life is beautiful: can happiness be measured philosophy?

life is beautiful: can happiness be measured philosophy?:                        The Psychology of Happiness can happiness be measured philosophy. Way back in 1929, Walter A. Pitkin...

can happiness be measured philosophy?

                       The Psychology of Happiness

can happiness be measured philosophy.

Way back in 1929, Walter A. Pitkin wrote ‘The Psychology of Happiness’ and in this book, he differentiated between happiness and related emotions including pleasure and enjoyment (Samuel, 2019). He argued that achieving happiness was not merely the result of luck or chance. Since this time, psychologists have continued to try and define happiness.

According to psychology, happiness is about more than simply the experience of a positive mood. In order to describe happiness, psychologists commonly refer to subjective well being (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). In other words, happiness is “people’s evaluations of their lives and encompasses both cognitive judgments of satisfaction and affective appraisals of moods and emotions” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008, p. 118).

The psychological inquiry into happiness is important because happiness is not only associated with improved physical health and even longevity, but it is also a priority for people – across the world, happiness has been rated as being more important than other desirable outcomes including living a meaningful life or making a lot of money (Psychology Today, 2019).

There are three ways that psychologists study happiness

 1.Need and Goal Satisfaction Theories

These theories suggest that happiness results from striving to achieve appropriate goals and meeting one’s fundamental human needs (Nelson, Kurtz & Lyubomirsky, in press). Deci and Ryan (2000) for example, proposed Self-determination Theory, which stipulates that wellbeing is achieved when one meets their basic human needs including autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

2. Genetic and Personality Predisposition Theories

These propose that wellbeing is influenced by genes, and is associated with the personality traits of extraversion and neuroticism (Nelson et al., in press). This, in turn, implies that wellbeing does not change much over time.

3. Process/activity theories

Process/activity theories argue that wellbeing may be improved by participating in activities that are engaging and require effort (Nelson et al., in press).

Psychologists ask the question, ‘is it possible to increase one’s happiness?’. Some psychologists claim that making an attempt to enhance happiness is pointless because happiness levels are predetermined and stable over time (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008).

Consistent with this argument is the Happiness Set Point. The Happiness Set Point argues that a person’s state of happiness will be constant over time, regardless of changes in circumstances (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008).

Adapting to environmental changes is termed ‘the hedonic treadmill’ or ‘homeostatic control’ (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008). This notion of adaptation (leading to relatively stable levels of happiness) is supported by findings in research that individuals who may be high in either positive or negative affect (e.g. lottery winners, paralysis victims) demonstrate that their happiness levels revert to their ‘usual’ range after a period of time (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008).

Some psychologists argue that the Happiness Set Point provides evidence that happiness cannot be enhanced (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008). There is a perspective taken by some psychologists that happiness is a ‘trait’ or a personal disposition to experience a certain affect.

This perspective suggests that happiness is relatively stable over time, and therefore efforts to increase happiness are futile (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008). However, research has shown that although subjective well-being may be associated with personality traits (e.g. extraversion), that differences in reports of happiness levels over time suggest that, in fact, happiness is not a trait (Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2008).

Thus, happiness has been an important area of focus for psychologists. What, then, about the more recent science of happiness…positive psychology?

Happiness and Positive Psychology

Positive psychology can be described as a psychology of potential, and what ‘could be’ as compared to what ‘is’ (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). It aims to shift what has historically been the predominant focus of psychology – pathology – to examining the development of positive qualities in individuals and communities (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

In other words, Positive Psychology aims to understand and cultivate the factors that put individuals, communities, and societies in a position where they are able to ‘flourish’ (Fredrickson, 2001).

What does it mean to ‘flourish’? Put simply, it is a state of optimal wellbeing (Fredrickson, 2001). Fredrickson (2001) asked the question “what role do positive emotions play in positive psychology?”.

Well, as it turns out, happiness can be thought of as experiencing predominantly positive emotions, or affective states, rather than negative ones (Tkach & Lyubomirsky, 2006). Thus, positive emotions are a sign of flourishing, or, in other words, happiness (Fredrickson, 2001). Happiness is central to the assumptions of positive psychology.

• Positive emotions – P
• Engagement – E
• Relationships – R
• Meaning – M
• Accomplishment – A
• 
  

life is beautiful: FRIENDSHIP

life is beautiful: FRIENDSHIP:                                    FRIENDSHIP One of my biggest values in life is friendship. I believe I developed the value of ...

FRIENDSHIP

                                   FRIENDSHIP

One of my biggest values in life is friendship. I believe I developed the value of friendship early in life through the schools I attended. I come from a decently large suburb, but attended small private schools growing up. My grade always had about 50 kids in it from Kindergarten through high school. I went through all these years of school with basically the same group of kids, and we helped raise each other. We went through everything together and I knew them all well. The small school and class environment allowed me to get really close to my peers.

I look back on these years and the friendships I made as very special. I'm still very close with all of my friends from home because of the bonds and connections we have from growing up together. I've taken the value of friendship with me to college, where I have a new group of very close friends. Whenever I'm down or need someone to talk to, I can always look to my friends. I know that they have my back and I have theirs. If I need anything I can always look to them, and I really value the friendships that I've made.

I think it's really important that even while we're at school, with homework, exams, and the burden of figuring out our lives, that we still have friends to rely on and spend time with. There's more to life than just your job. Friends help make your life happier. In five years this value will be very important to me as I move to a new city with new people. I will need to make new friends who I will spend time with on weekends when not at work. I will also maintain the friendships I've made from home and from school, and will keep in touch with them regularly. Together, this will help me create a large network of friends all over the country.

life is beautiful: NIGHT TO SHINE

life is beautiful: NIGHT TO SHINE:                             NIGHT TO SHINE On February 9, 2018, I was a volunteer at NFL star Tim Te bow's Night to Shine, a pr...

NIGHT TO SHINE

                            NIGHT TO SHINE

On February 9, 2018, I was a volunteer at NFL star Tim Te bow's Night to Shine, a prom for 

developmentally disabled individuals. It was the most amazing, humbling experience I have ever 

been a

 part of.

These beautiful spirits believe they can do anything and who are we to tell them they can't? They

 sing.
 They dance. They tell jokes. They laugh with their friends. THEY LOVE. They, with all their 

challenges,

 SHINE!

That night they were all stars. They walked the red carpet. They were prom queens and kings 

with
crowns and tiaras. Mobile, immobile, verbal, non-verbal, blind, deaf, they showed up and were 

fearless.

 And they stole my heart. I challenge you all, whether your life is touched by disability or not to 

learn more

 about the Tim Te bow Night to Shine and join me as a volunteer next year. You won't regret it.

                       NIGHT TO SHINE

life is beautiful: HARACTER A STORY TO TELL

life is beautiful: HARACTER A STORY TO TELL:                                   A STORY TO TELL So recently I got goosebumps. It was Friday, November 17. I was so pumped sin...

HARACTER A STORY TO TELL

                                A STORY TO TELL

So recently I got goosebumps. It was Friday, November 17. I was so pumped since it was the end of the week and we had planned to go out and eat for dinner. I went school like it was a normal day, but little did I know there was a shock waiting for me at school.

There’s this boy in my band, Spanish and math class. His name was Nathan. I never really liked him since he was a slowpoke. He didn’t have any friends at all. He always sat alone at the lunch table with his phone listening to music. People just walked past him without caring. And in class whenever he was asked a question, he would take a long time to answer it. The whole class would get annoyed and whenever he got an answer wrong, the whole class would laugh. I didn’t know why but I didn’t care enough to know.

On Nov. 17, I walked into band class and was ready to play my flute. Mr. Kohler began the class. We played music for a little while then he asked us to tune our instruments. I saw Nathan, he was just walking around like usual looking for something. There is nothing surprising about that, he does that in every class. He doesn’t just sit the whole class period, he walks around looking for Kleenex or a new reed for his instrument. He plays clarinet by the way.

So then Mr. Kohler asked a question to the class: “who in here can tell what note it is just by hearing the pitch? 
Nobody raised their hand except for Nathan. The moment I saw him, I laughed but not out loud. I thought he couldn’t do anything properly. How could he possibly guess the note when the pitch is played?

Mr. Kohler even laughed a little and then told Nathan, “come here buddy.” Nathan came and stood in front of the class. Mr. Kohler had a tuner and he played a pitch and asked Nathan to guess the pitch. 
Nathan said, “ E flat.” 
Mr. Kohler said, “ok good.” And played another pitch. “F sharp.” Nathan said. The whole class went pin drop silence.

Mr. Kohler challenged Nathan by playing 2 pitches at the same time. 
“C and B flat” Nathan said. 
Mr. Kohler played 3 pitches. “G, A flat, E sharp.” Nathan said. 
“Good job, go back to your seat.” Mr. Kohler said.

At that moment I got goosebumps. How did he do that? I said to myself. He guessed all the pitches correctly. That day I realized that I shouldn’t judge people based on little things I see. I need to see the great things people can do. 
From that day on I had a different opinion on Nathan. I forgot about all the things he was bad at and focused on the things he was good at. Whenever I saw him, I just said to myself, “that’s the guy that impressed me. That’s the guy who is musically talented.

 A STORY TO TELL.

life is beautiful: OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY ME.

life is beautiful: OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY ME.: OPPORTUNITY                                     NOT ONLY ME. There was a time where I completely gave up. A time where I th...

OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY ME.

OPPORTUNITY

                                    NOT ONLY ME.

There was a time where I completely gave up. A time where I thought I wasn’t worthy

 to live up to my dreams. I was wrong. I joined a school that helped me find myself.

 Helped me understand who I truly was, what I really wanted to be. They believed in 

me so much that I was completely connected with one particular teacher. Years apart,

 yet a day difference in our birthday. We shared lots of things in common such as ,

 wanting to help others. She taught me so much. Not only was she my favorite 

teacher but she was my mentor. She provided me with so many opportunities, like 

traveling to the White House to talked about civic engagement. She included me in 

clubs where I could help out my community and know what it means to make a 

difference. I am grateful, and pleased to have met someone like her, to have made a 

difference in my life. When others from my family didn’t support me, she was always 

there to guide me and lead me to the path I was meant to be in. Because of her, I will

 continue my education, and help others who don’t have a voice by representing 

them as an their immigration attorney.

OPPORTUNITY

                                    NOT ONLY ME.

life is beautiful: THIRSTY FOR ART

life is beautiful: THIRSTY FOR ART:                        THIRSTY FOR ART I am a free lance artist. I paint murals in schools, most elementary schools. I design educ...

THIRSTY FOR ART

                       THIRSTY FOR ART

I am a free lance artist. I paint murals in schools, most elementary schools. I design educational 

murals as well as decorative murals. But the important part is, the students paint with me. Nearly 

20 years ago I was inspired by a local muralist to paint a mural at my kids' school. Once I got 

started, I decided to enlist the help of the 6th graders. I wanted them to know what it felt like to 

contribute something to their community. I thought that if that feeling was good, they would want 

to repeat the action as adults. I wanted the kids to grow up and be contributors to our community.

 19 years later, parents purchase the paint to get their children into my program. All the student 

painters sign the finished art. That way, when they return as adults (and we all go see the 

elementary schools we attended) they will see the work of art with their name on it. It gives them

 ownership. It beautifies their school and makes the neighborhood more desirable. The art makes

 the school aesthetics nicer and more welcoming. I usually paint with children in grades 1-6. But I 

have also painted with kindergartners, middle school & high school students, as well as college 

students. To date I have painted 96 public murals. 76 of them are in schools. And I have been 

assisted by thousands of children. Next school year I'm hoping to paint my 100th mural.

life is beautiful: BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF CANCER AT 22?

life is beautiful: BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF CANCER AT 22?:                                BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF                                         CANCER AT 22? My name is SARA* an...

BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF CANCER AT 22?

                              BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF

                                       CANCER AT 22?

My name is SARA* and I am a warrior! I am sharing my story in the hope that if you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with cancer, it will take you beyond the and help you through the difficult days ahead.

Exactly 4 months after my wedding, I started having killing headaches. I was in great shape otherwise, so I was not particularly concerned when the emergency room doctor told me he needed further scans. The medical consensus was that I had probably too much stress due to being distant from my spouse (visa issues!) and being newly-wed so...! However, my internist ordered a battery of tests. Even though everything else was ruled out, he was as shocked as I when the CT scan showed evidence of a metastatic disease.

Life turned surreal as the medical tests began to determine what kind of cancer I had. It then became affirmed that I had a brain tumour!

The days passed in slow motion as I waited to find out whether I was a candidate for surgery and then for the date of the surgery to arrive. When the details of the surgery were explained to me, they literally took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. Although there was no evidence of cancer outside the tumour, the doctors recommended chemotherapy following the surgery. Again, I was absolutely terrified but I felt I had no choice. Three long months of chemo passed; it was pretty terrible, but not nearly as bad as I had imagined.

The diagnosis and treatments wreaked havoc on my world. Perhaps because I was accustomed to being strong, self-reliant, in control and, of course, a little pushy. Suddenly, I was not in control; instead of giving help and support, I was accepting it. That too - from my parents who literally looked 40 years older in those 4 months! Without much warning, I was too tired and weak to walk around; instead of running miles, I was in bed too exhausted to even lift a book. The next thing I knew, I had changed from a healthy, newly-was, 22 year old into a cancer patient, a frail, fatigued and, once chemo began, somewhat bald, old lady.

During this period, life revolved around cancer. 
No matter what your state of health, the diagnosis of cancer is overwhelming for the patient and for everyone close. Anxiety, sadness and depression are common for most cancer patients, and I was no exception. However, one fine morning, I finally thought to myself - no matter what, I have to win!

Over five years, with chemo, radiation, immunotherapy and 13 surgeries - from a brain tumour to leukaemia, the battle still goes on! I suppose it is natural to take stock of the past when the future is so seriously threatened. Strange as is may sound, I feel like one very lucky woman: I am blessed with parents and friends to care for me; one special one who has grown from a friend by chance to a sister by choice! I had access to skilled and compassionate medical help from Tanzania to India! Not forgetting my teachers who try understand my situation and help me pursue my goals!

Indeed life is uncertain and fragile for all of us.

In our society, it is easy go through the life rushing to get things done. Cancer is a reminder to live each day fully; to seize the opportunity to express love and appreciation to those we care about, to take the time to stop and notice little things that can make life so enjoyable, to help others and to remember to be thankful for whatever good fortune we have.

Love you my mama, papa and bro! Oh and did you think I forgot you Afsheen? 
Thank you for all that you do! I am sorry for the days that I am low and tend to vent out on you! I only vent out on you because you are my source of strength.

                    BELIEVING IN YOUR SELF

life is beautiful: VETERAN SMILES

life is beautiful: VETERAN SMILES:                                   compassion                                VETERAN SMILES During a trip to a local veteran...

VETERAN SMILES

                                  compassion

                               VETERAN SMILES

During a trip to a local veteran’s hospital with my dad in 2012, a Marine Corps veteran, I noticed that many of the veterans lacked basic toiletries and lived too far from the hospital for family or friends to visit regularly.

I was only 13 at the time, but decided to make a 4‑H service project to bring smiles and support to veterans staying in VA hospitals by hand-delivering homemade get-well cards. After my first visit I learned that many long term care Veterans lacked basic hygiene items. So I started adding hygiene care packages to our card deliveries. These packages included essential toiletries and fun items like playing cards. I decided to name my project Operation: Veteran Smiles (OVS).

In 2017 my project gained national attention and spread across the country. Today OVS deliveries happen in over 17 states in the US throughout the year. OVS has helped more than 8,500 veterans with care packages, support and face-to-face interaction with young people. More than 7,500 volunteers and 4‑H’ers have hand-delivered care packages, homemade cards and musical therapy.

                               VETERAN SMILES

life is beautiful: MY PASSION OF MUSIC

life is beautiful: MY PASSION OF MUSIC:                                                                                         PASSION                       MY PASSION OF MU...

MY PASSION OF MUSIC

                                                       

                               PASSION 

                     MY PASSION OF MUSIC

I was a kid in the 4th grade and I been inspired by people playing the flute. So when I started 4th grade, there was a program in my school where you could learn an instrument and play in the band. I signed up as soon as possible because the places where being taken away fast so I really wanted to play the flute. After a week or 2 a paper was sent to my mail box saying that I made it. I was extremely happy! After I rented my first flute I would practice everyday for hours and hours. As time passed on, I started to become more well known for my music and what I do. Today, I am going to 6th grade and I will be playing my flute in many concerts and it hopefully will be fun. So if you have a hobby that you like doing, turn that hobby into a talent and show the world what you do!

                  MY PASSION OF MUSIC

life is beautiful: HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT.

life is beautiful: HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT.:                      HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT. During life time theirs going to be that one time in your life when you feel...

HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT.

                     HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT.

During life time theirs going to be that one time in your life when you feel like telling a lie one your afraid of getting in trouble or two your embarrassed so you hide the truth so you tell a lie it's never okay to tell a lie about something even if it's not important you shouldn't lie because their is always a consequence that will follow behind the lie and it could get you in a serious situation just like with friend you have to be honest or it could cause drama or it could cause you to lose friends any adult if you lie like for example if you lie to your parents their is a 100% chance that you have lost their trust for you so when you do tell the truth it won't matter because they won't believe you unless they hear it from someone else who proved them wrong for not believing you. There is a way that you could earn trust back but it's a really hard way because it takes time for them not to call you a liar or fake so I would strongly suggest people not to lie anymore because if you do lie your family and friends may never trust you with anything anymore,

                        HONESTY,TRUST AND RESPECT.

life is beautiful: I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY CONFIDENCE

life is beautiful: I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY CONFIDENCE:           I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY                                              CONFIDENCE I tendered my resignation 5...

I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY CONFIDENCE

          I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY                                              CONFIDENCE

I tendered my resignation 5 days before the end of 2018. I am worried because there is no other job offer. "Is that the correct decision?"I asked myself every morning.

Tomorrow will be the 3rd weeks, and I can say it's the right decision. During these 3 weeks, I begin to brainstorm on how to replace the loss of income from the employment.

In fact, I am much more capable than I think. I wrote down everything that I can do for a living in a sheet of paper, my confidence level sore higher as the list started to grow.

The most amazing thing that could happen is after everyone knows I have quit, they start to offer me some jobs. Opportunities keep coming and I have less worry and becoming more confident, and I start believing that "I can do it!".

If I were to continue to work at my current company, I might be unable to reclaim my confidence.

What I learned is, as long as you trust yourself, there is hope.

 I LEAVE AND SURPRISINGLY RECLAIM MY                        CONFIDENCE

life is beautiful: Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose of...

life is beautiful: Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose of...:                                                      Monis Rahman                   Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose offi...

Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose office was tiniest

                                                     Monis Rahman

                  Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose office was tiniest

According to Forbes, Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose office was tiniest, who choked down the most Ramen noodles and holds some formidable trump cards.” Monis is the mind behind Naseeb Networks, which specializes in recruitment portal, social networking and other services in Pakistan. In 2006 he started Rozee.pk and has built it to a company with over 40, 000 employers and 5.4 million professionals registered on its portal.

 Monis Rahman

Monis Rahman is one “who slept the least, whose office was tiniest

life is beautiful: Emily Blunt Golden Globes and landing leading role...

life is beautiful: Emily Blunt Golden Globes and landing leading role...:                                Emily Blunt            Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen.   ...

Emily Blunt Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen.

                               Emily Blunt

           Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen.

 

Before Blunt was getting nominated for Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen, she could barely carry a conversation with her classmates: Between ages seven and 14, Emily had a major stutter. As she told W magazine, "I was a smart kid, and had a lot to say, but I just couldn't say it. It would just haunt me. I never thought I'd be able to sit and talk to someone like I'm talking to you right now."

But that all changed when one of her junior high teachers encouraged her to try out for the school play—a totally unappealing feat given the fact that she had such a hard time communicating. But the teacher kept gently pressing and suggested she try accents and character voices to help get the words out—and it worked. By the end of her teens, Blunt had overcome her stutter and went on to achieve the successful career she has now.

life is beautiful: Colonel (Harland) Sanders

life is beautiful: Colonel (Harland) Sanders:                               Colonel (Harland) Sanders Colonel Harland Sanders was fired from a variety of jobs throughout ...

Colonel (Harland) Sanders

                              Colonel (Harland) Sanders

Colonel Harland Sanders was fired from a variety of jobs throughout his career before he first started cooking chicken in his roadside Shell Service Station in 1930, when he was 40 years old, during the Great Depression. His gas station didn’t actually have a restaurant, so he served diners in his attached personal living quarters.

Over the next 10 years, he perfected his “Secret Recipe” and pressure fryer cooking method for his famous fried chicken and moved onto bigger locations. His chicken was even praised in the media by food critic Duncan Hines (yes, that Duncan Hines). However, as the interstate came through the Kentucky town where the Colonel’s restaurant was located in the 1950s, it took away important road traffic, and the Colonel was forced to close his business and retire, essentially broke. Worried about how he was going to survive off his meager $105 monthly pension check, he set out to find restaurants who would franchise his secret recipe—he wanted a nickel for each piece of chicken sold. He drove around, sleeping in his car, and was rejected more than 1,000 times before finally finding his first partner.

life is beautiful: Oprah’s dealt with a lot throughout her public lif...

life is beautiful: Oprah’s dealt with a lot throughout her public lif...:                 Oprah Winfrey Oprah’s dealt with a lot                     throughout her public life Oprah’s dealt with a lo...

Oprah’s dealt with a lot throughout her public life

               Oprah Winfrey Oprah’s dealt with a lot                     throughout her public life

Oprah’s dealt with a lot throughout her public life—criticism about her weight, racism, intrusive questions about her sexuality, just to name a few—but she never let it get in the way of her ambition and drive. When you look at her childhood, her personal triumphs are cast in an even more remarkable light.

Growing up, Oprah was reportedly a victim of sexual abuse and was repeatedly molested by her cousin, an uncle, and a family friend. Later, she became pregnant and gave birth to a child at age 14, who passed away just two weeks later. But Oprah persevered, going on to finish high school as an honors student, earning a full scholarship to college, and working her way up through the ranks of television, from a local network anchor in Nashville to an international superstar and creator of her OWN network (we couldn’t help ourselves