Happiness

I am sure that many people have seen the lists of the world's happiest countries. I have also heard that, as people travel, they find that people in poorer nations seem happier than those in their own more wealthy nations. Many may find this puzzling. But I believe it has much to do with consumerism, disparity in wealth, and family ties, as well as ties to culture. In countries where the people are more separated from their own history, I believe that they are more likely to be unhappy. Consumerism also does not help the matter. In many westernized nations, material goods (especially technology, it seems), are valued more than family ties or social networks (this does not include such thing as internet networking sites). This is part of the reason as to why Costa Rica beat out the wealthier United States--they have more ties to their own cultures and community than Americans. It has been proven that people are healthier and happier as they age if they have a true community which they physically interact with.

Unfortunately, rather than help strengthen human ties, technology seems to weaken them. Parents pay more attention to their Blackberries and high-tech phones and laptops than they do their own children and then wonder why their children do not speak with them. Children know more about the workings of computers than they do about their own family history. This is only making the gaps between generations widen.

Therefore, parents and children should put aside their computers and phones and video games and spend a few hours (or even an entire weekend, imagine that!) with their families without interruption from these technologies to really get to know one another and find what's most important.

And so ends my semi-rant. Do not be surprised if the idea of happiness comes up in future posts. However, as something of a codicil, I do not intend to harm anyone's feelings, this is simply my stated opinion. What is yours?