Happiness Information


Happiness - Cause and Effect


Your reaction to the events around you determines how you feel and how you affect those you come into contact with. Consider the following example:

Jane, a bank executive, got caught in traffic on her way to an important presentation at a board of directors meeting. As a result, she was forty-five minutes late for her presentation. After the meeting Jane was in a really bad mood. Upon returning to her office she discovered that several expected reports were not there.

Jane called Kevin, her administrative assistant, into her office and reprimanded him for not ensuring the reports had arrived on time. Another department was preparing the reports. Kevin had no control over when they would be delivered. Jane was in a foul mood and she didn't want to hear any excuses.

Upset and stressed, Kevin called Donna, the secretary for the department preparing the reports. He started yelling at her that the reports that he had requested had not arrived. Although this was the first Donna had heard of the reports, Kevin didn't care. He was upset and took his anger out on Donna.

By the time she got off the phone with Kevin, Donna was seething. Who did Kevin think he was speaking to her like that? Just then, Ed from the mailroom called Donna to ask how she wanted a package shipped. Donna accused Ed of being an idiot for not knowing the package should be sent overnight because it was so important.

Ed tried to explain there was no way he could have known what she wanted. Donna just slammed the phone down in a huff. Ed was livid. Did Donna think he was a mind reader? Ed was still agitated as he went to the diner for lunch.

The diner was extremely busy. His waitress, Stacey, took longer than usual to take his order. Ed was annoyed with the slow service. He was rude to Stacey and left her a small tip. Stacy was running herself ragged and was offended by Ed's attitude and tip.

The rest of Stacey's shift seemed to drag. When she finally got off work, she was in no mood for any more hassles from anyone. As Stacey walked into her apartment, her five-year-old son, Jimmy, ran excitedly to greet her.

Stacey immediately noticed that Jimmy's pants were filthy. "I just washed those," she yelled. "Can't you keep anything clean?" Jimmy ran up to his room crying. His cat came over to him purring. Jimmy was so upset he kicked the cat.

Wouldn't it have saved a lot of people a lot of grief if Jane had gone directly to Stacey's house and kicked Jimmy's cat?

When you take out your frustrations on others you may be starting a cascading chain reaction. If someone takes out their frustrations on you, break the chain by not taking it out on someone else. When you react negatively to another's behavior you allow yourself to be drawn into their problems. You control your thoughts. If you feel annoyed, wait and think before speaking or acting.

Keep things in perspective. Let stress roll off you without grabbing hold of and internalizing it. Don't kick the cat.

copyright 2005 Bryan Golden

Bryan Golden is a self-development and motivational expert, author, and adjunct professor. He is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits," and writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column. For more information please visit:http://www.daretolivewithoutlimits.com or http://www.bryangolden.com


MORE RESOURCES:

KSL-TV

Funeral services to celebrate happiness Powell children brought to family
KSL-TV
By Pat Reavy TACOMA — The case against Josh Powell, the horrific fire at his house, speculation about whether it could have been prevented, and the bitter feud between the Powell and Cox families have been front and center for nearly a week.

and more »


gulfnews.com

World is a happier place than 2007 — global poll
GMA News
Despite economic woes, wars, conflicts and natural disasters the world is a happier place today than it was four years ago and Indonesians, Indians and Mexicans seem to be the most contented people on the planet. More than three-quarters of people ...
Indians among happiest people in the world: PollNetIndian
In the pursuit of happinessgulfnews.com

all 55 news articles »


Reason Online

The Supreme Court's Health Law Cases -- Is Health Care 'Happiness'?
Huffington Post (blog)
The Declaration of Independence declares life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to be inalienable rights. In 1943, FDR proposed a 'Second Bill of Rights' that included freedoms inclusive of adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and ...
Government can't make us happyPost-Tribune

all 6 news articles »


Looking for heart of happiness can prove illusive
Winnipeg Free Press
Related Items Articles On the NightTable Happiness is an elusive subject for researchers. It is also elusive for many of us in our daily lives. Leo Bormans, the editor of this ambitious and colourfully illustrated coffee-table book, invited more than ...



kjrh.com

The Happiest And Unhappiest Industries To Work In
Forbes
Do you work in retail or media and think your friends who work in education and real estate are all happier than you? That isn't just your imagination. According to online career site CareerBliss.com, those are some of the happiest and unhappiest ...
Tulsa ranked No. 4 unhappiest city to work by CareerBliss onlineTulsa World
Tulsa #4 Unhappiest City for Work, Survey SaysKTUL (blog)

all 6 news articles »


Got Happiness? Where Marketing Meets the Science of Well-Being
Huffington Post (blog)
Instead they appear to be offering something we used to think money couldn't buy -- happiness. Retailers, manufacturers, service providers all want you to know how they bring more than just "good things to life," they can make you happy too.



The Express Tribune

Happiness = Innovation at work
The Express Tribune
By Sarah Khan The writer's extensive research claims that companies should invest in employees' happiness as when they're happy, they are energetic, enthusiastic and innovative. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY “Each new day holds out a chance to create a whole new ...



The history of happiness
TODAYonline
I've spent time since with Russian friends, discussing cultural rules on showing happiness, agreeing that differences remain. The point here is not to disparage Russians. Most East Asian cultures also have lower happiness expectations than Americans ...



Goshen Chronicle

Top Seven Ways To C'Mon Get Happy
Forbes
Singh's story is the opening of new documentary Happy, which explores the science of happiness and its prevalence across cultures. Director Roko Belic shot over 400 hours of footage all over the world—from the swamps of Louisiana to co-ops in Denmark ...
Ways to find happiness in your lifeExaminer.com
Documentary shows how to be truly happy9NEWS.com
SOUTH ON 101: Get happyLompoc Record

all 8 news articles »


Inside Costa Rica

Costa Rican dream homes come with built-in happiness
Calgary Herald
It's not too often you find a country where happiness is a selling feature. But that's Costa Rica, which is why Costa Rican-based and Canadian-owned Monterra Developers has found success over the last 12 years helping Canadians build their dream homes ...
Nature app replicates Costa Rica soundsTico Times

all 8 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007