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- Ask Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Interview
- Gretchen Rubin – Part I
- Gretchen Rubin – Part II
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project.
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Comment by Porter on February 10, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Hi, Gretchen -
There is a debate on whether humans are truly altruistic. What are your thoughts on altruism, and how does it relate to the feeling of happiness that we get in doing something for others.
Porter
My Second Splendid Truth is:
One of the best ways to make YOURSELF happy is to make OTHER PEOPLE happy; One of the best ways to make OTHER PEOPLE happy is to be happy YOURSELF. These do not work in opposition, but create a virtuous circle.
Comment by Manny Osvaldo on February 10, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
I live in a humble part of Peru in South America. Why is it that poor people seem happier than people who have money? We are always smiling but rich people in Hollywood seem sad.
Actually, studies show that people who have more money are happier. Of course, a person can be happy with little money, but it does seem to help. No studies have been done about Hollywood folks. They may be their own separate category!
Comment by Amy Wilson on February 10, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
What’s your advice for someone who has clinical depression? It seems trite to say “just be happy”.
I agree. I distinguish among happiness, unhappiness, and depression. Depression is a serious, urgent condition that requires major intervention by experts.
Comment by Naveen Patel on February 10, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
The Buddha said that we are the cause of our own suffering. Do you agree? If so, it follows that only we can make ourselves suffer less. But does “suffer less” mean the same thing as “happy”?
To be happy, in my view – and I’m not a Buddhist — it’s not enough just to experience an absence of suffering. A person must also have sources of joy, contentment, etc. Attachment brings suffering, true, but it also brings great happiness.
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blog post: Gretchen Rubin – Part I http://tinyurl.com/ygqgrzl
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project. This post is Part II of her responses to reader’s questions.
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Comment by Brandon Klive on February 10, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Religion promises eternal life and joy, but I see a lot of “evil” people that seem pretty damn happy to me. What gives?The relationship between virtue and happiness is one of the big questions of happiness! Is it possible for an evil person to be happy? Alas, I think so. Though for many – and I hope MOST people – the tie between behaving virtuously and feeling happy is very strong.Comment by Joseph Tibco on February 10, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
I work in a hard manufacturing environment. Yeah, people get yelled at and I’ve done some yelling myself. Given that environment, you got any tips to help my crew find some joy in their job?Try this: Act the way you want to feel. We think we act because of the way we feel, but often we feel because of the way we act. If you act angry, you will inflame your angry feelngs. If you behave in a calm, friendly manner, you will make yourself feeling calmer and friendlier. This is an almost uncanny strategy! Try it!Comment by Katiana Tano on February 10, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
What do you say about Happiness to someone who survived Haiti’s earthquake, destruction, loss of family, and everything else? How are Hope and Happiness related?Hope is very important to happiness, especially when we face enormous happiness challenges.
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