The pursuit of happiness

The pursuit of happiness

'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The United States Declaration of Independence states that these are the "unalienable rights" that all human beings have been given by their creator.

The first two elements are straightforward enough. You are alive, and you are free and independent to lead the life you choose.

But the last aspect can be open to interpretation, and is highly subjective.

According to a recent study by psychologist Prof Robert Cummins at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, the new "golden triangle of happiness" comprises a loving partner, up to A$100,000 (approximately 2.9 million baht) of household income and a social activity that offers a sense of purpose.

This took all of 12 years to conclude, and if I'm not mistaken, it was intended to refute the premise that fat people are unhappy. The theory confirms that BMI has nothing to do with happiness, but obesity aside, it's interesting to see how and if it applies to all of us.

Let's take me, for example.

First of all, a loving partner. Hmmm...

Two point nine million baht income a year. That comes down to 241,000 baht a month. Errrr...

A social activity that offers a sense of purpose. Well, my sense of purpose is raising two kids with nowhere near 2.9 million baht income or a loving partner. Other than that, my social life revolves around eating out and dancing, with a nice bottle of wine thrown in here and there for good measure. Not much of a higher purpose there except for total self-indulgence.

Strike three!

According to this theory, I should be suicidal.

So am I happy? Absolutely!

Though the "loving partner" eludes me, I have two great kids who, if nothing else, are my greatest achievements in life.

I have so many wonderful friends who stick with me through thick and thin. They make me laugh, and laughter, according to an actual study from Norway, extends a person's lifespan. When I'm down, they offer me a shoulder to cry on. They support me in whatever I do, and give me advice when I seek it. So am I suffering from the lack of a loving partner? No, not really.

The 2.9 million baht might be a bit exaggerated since it is based on the Australian cost of living, I'm aware, and might have to be adjusted down slightly for Thailand. However, I am still nowhere near that figure by any account.

But how much is "enough"? It's probably different for everyone.

For some, "enough" might mean taking an annual shopping trip to Europe. For others, it might simply mean being able to have three square meals a day. It's totally relative.

I admit that my roof needs repairing, and I would probably be better off with a new washing machine and a car that doesn't sound like a Boeing 777 taking off.

My kids would probably enjoy some genuine sushi in Japan, or seeing the fish nibble their toes in the Maldives.

But am I actually suffering because I haven't got the new Chanel hula hoop bag? Hardly.

Can I survive? Yes I can.

As for the social activity with a sense of purpose, a lot of my fun activities with friends are done for charity.

My Newsmakers group holds a Clutter Sale once a year to raise money for cancer research, and we certainly have a lot of fun and laughter over a lot of eating and drinking in the process of organising the event.

But a lot of other times, it's just eating and drinking and laughter for the pure purpose of indulgence and friendship, and I don't see anything wrong with that either.

Today I read a friend's post on Facebook, which I think says it all:

"Being happy doesn't mean you have it all, it means being thankful to the Lord for all you have."


Usnisa Sukhsvasti is the features editor of the Bangkok Post.

Usnisa Sukhsvasti

Feature Editor

M.R. Usnisa Sukhsvasti is Bangkok Post’s features editor, a teacher at Chulalongkorn University and a social worker.

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