The Happiness Quotient - Suresh Padmanabhan
(Suresh Padmanabhan is an author of the International Bestseller- “I Love Money” now translated in more than 10 Indian and International Languages. He is also the creator and coach for Money Workshop a program to develop consciousness in the areas of Money, Wealth Creation, Prosperity and Spirituality. He has conducted numerous workshops both in India and Overseas. Website www.themoneyworkshop.com.)
A University of Leicester psychologist has produced the first ever ‘world map of happiness.’
Adrian White, an analytic social psychologist at the University’s School of Psychology, analyzed data published by UNESCO, the CIA, the New Economics Foundation, the WHO to create a global projection of subjective well-being: the first world map of happiness. Participants in the various studies were asked questions related to happiness and satisfaction with life. The meta-analysis is based on the findings of over 100 different studies around the world, which questioned 80,000 people worldwide.
The first 5 happiest nations in the World are:
1 - Denmark
2 - Switzerland
3 - Austria
4 - Iceland
5 - The Bahamas
Other notable results include:
23 - USA
35 - Germany
41 - UK
62 - France
82 - China
90 - Japan
125 - India
167 - Russia
India’s ranking was 125. Not surprisingly, the countries that are happiest are those that are healthy, wealthy, and wise. "The most significant factors were health, the level of poverty, and access to basic education," White says. Population size also plays a role. Smaller countries with greater social cohesion and a stronger sense of national identity tended to score better, while those with the largest populations fared worse.
Money still counts. Good health may be the key to happiness, but money helps open the door. Wealthier countries, such as Switzerland (2) and Luxembourg (10) scored high on the index. Not surprisingly, most African countries, which have little of either; scored poorly. Capitalism, meanwhile, fared quite well. Free-market systems are sometimes blamed for producing unhappiness due to insecurity and competition, but the U.S. was No. 23 and all the top-ranking European countries are firmly capitalist.
The findings may be very debatable and not too accurate according to many. But it is time to do some soul searching. If you look around some of the reasons you will find are the cost of living in the cities is so stressed out. Poor infrastructure, lack of governance, rampant corruption in all sectors, politicians who always put their interest first, improper sanitation, pollution of all kinds, lack of social security, too much of divide between the rich, middle and the poor etc.
Stand on the sidelines of any city and you will find People who have become so mechanical. They are like robots walking on the streets; many of them do not even know where they are going. High stress, relationship issues, health issues are hitting one and all. The basics of leading a happy contended life is all so lost.
I remember a poem, which touched and inspired my soul; unfortunately I do not know the name of this wonderful poet who has written this.POEM OF LIFE
When’s the last time you watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain as it tickled the ground?
Have you followed a butterfly’s erratic flight,
stood and gazed at the sun as it faded to night?
You had better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you rush through each day as if on the fly;
never catch up however you try?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You had better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Have you ever told your child, “We’ll do it tomorrow?”
And in your haste, not seen her sorrow?
Ever-lost touch, let a good friendship die
because you never had time to call and say “Hi”?
You had better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
When you’re running so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift just thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
_______________________________
Here is one more poem, which I still treasure from my child hood. May be it might trigger memories for you all too. This is Leisure by W. H. Davies.
Leisure by W. H. Davies
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.What can be done? Do some soul searching and become aware of your life.
What is the use of this life if you gain everything but loose yourself?
Every change begins with one self and we must realize that the most precious things of life are within us. Stop, ponder and slow down your own pace of life if necessary. Life is not necessary to be lived in the Fast Lane. Remember the first ripple of happiness should arise from us, then it will spread across the county.