Food for thought

Just watched a documentary about happiness… I know, sounds kind of weird but I like documentaries. I like learning. I like being exposed to new perspectives and new information. This documentary centered around an emerging body of scientific research about that illusive state of mind called ‘happy.’

It was an hour and fifteen minutes long so there was a lot going on but in my impression there were a few major themes.

1)    Stuff doesn’t make people happy. Actually, quite the opposite. Once basic needs are met (and this is an important point) the pursuit of stuff actually makes people unhappy.  Interesting science…

2)    People who live in community are much happier than people who do not. Now, this isn’t people who live in a community this is people who live in community, meaning people who consistently, daily share their lives with a group of other people.

3)    Taking care of each other is pivotal. People who are happy focus on the world and caring for it and others, not on themselves… hmmm…. Sounds a lot like service to me.

It was crazy to watch this documentary centered entirely around dopamine receptors and psychology surveys say basically what a Jewish sage said two thousand years ago. Food for thought.