The Search for Sanity

How do we find the path to sanity? I feel there are several areas we must each explore to find sanity and happiness:

Control

There seems to be a direct correlation between how much control we have over our own lives and how happy we are. People in authoritarian countries seem to be much less happy than those in free countries. Employees who have some control over their time on the job are much happier. So personal control is an important aspect of feeling good. Running your own life as you see fit brings happiness. Being free to make good decisions for yourself and finding the value even in decisions that don’t have positive outcomes can bring happiness.

Optimism

Optimism creates opportunities. Despair creates despondency. People who expect the best are happiest and are then better prepared to overcome obstacles. Defeat spurs optimists on. Optimism is a fundamental, rock-solid belief that everything is going to be okay.

Faith

The happiest people not only have faith that all things will work out, but a spiritual faith as well. People who say they are actively religious are happier. Faith not only gives people a sense of purpose, but often a clear code of ethics to live by, and something larger than themselves to believe in.

Activity

Much happiness is derived in life by testing our skills through meaningful activity. We enjoy getting into the rhythm of life. We like being caught up in the flow and losing ourselves in total involvement. People want to feel useful, that they are investing their time, talents, and energies in something worthwhile. Those who believe that happiness is a side effect of doing things rather than searching for happiness are right.

There is a rule in sailing that the more maneuverable ship should give way to the less maneuverable. I think this is sometimes a good rule to follow in human relations as well.

—Dr. Joyce Brothers

Relationships

Feeling connected to the people you love can bring great joy. Open yourself up so your own innate happiness can blossom. The Amish seem to be very happy. They attribute their

happiness to having a clear purpose and working together to benefit the entire community. Extroverts are said to be happier, possibly because they may create relationships more easily.

Humor

Look for the humor in life. Humor lurks everywhere just waiting to be discovered, even in otherwise negative situations. Search for it. Lighten up! Smile! Laugh!

People who are happy experience a happy life. Others are drawn to them, which can add more happiness. They have more friends and loved ones. Importantly, they have a larger support system when things go wrong. It is said that happy people have at least four people they could call on a down day. However, they experience less down time.

Some people seek happiness through diversions like drugs, alcohol, shopping, fame, applause, or food. But these are temporary, at best. At worst, they can be negative, even destructive.