A Practical Guide to the Pursuit of Happiness
Happiness is infectious
6Dec2008 Filed under: Happiness Author: grahamI really don’t like simply linking to other blogs all of the time. I’d much rather write my own stuff and enjoy the conversations that flow out of that. So, I was all set to write about the recent publication of a 20-year study by the British Medical Journal, on the Dynamic spread of happiness in a large social network.
While there are many determinants of happiness, whether an individual is happy also depends on whether others in the individual’s social network are happy. Happy people tend to be located in the centre of their local social networks and in large clusters of other happy people. The happiness of an individual is associated with the happiness of people up to three degrees removed in the social network. Happiness, in other words, is not merely a function of individual experience or individual choice but is also a property of groups of people.
I bookmarked the article and made a note to write a post about its findings, after the kids had gone to bed. Then, later, I got back online and came across this post from Alex. Just once, I’d like to get there first!
So, to demonstrate that I am not a sore hat-tipper, let me encouage you over to Alex’s place. His brief post – and the comments – raise an interesting question about the report and its findings on the spread of sadness/low morale in the workplace.
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Think Happy! is a practical guide to the discovery of good mental health, happiness and wholeness.
From sharing handy memory aids, to pointing to ways to overcome anxiety, the aim is to record our own journey into mental wholeness - including both successes and failures.
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Ian Peatey
December 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Graham, interesting extract and link. To add .. I also think we tend to attract those of a similar disposition. And I do think that, although our moods and levels of happiness fluctuate, we have a disposition to be either happy or miserable. So happy people attract other happy people. Ian
graham
December 8th, 2008 at 12:50 am
That’s been playing on my mind, actually, Ian.
I agree that we attract people of a similar disposition. At least, experience would suggest that. However, I’m wondering if it might not be possible for a truly happy person to develop the rapport/charisma necessary to overcome that natural barrier.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to be happy without shutting ourselves off from those of a more miserable disposition?
Thanks for the comment.
Den Tyday
December 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Very usefull post.
Thanks.
P.S. I like your writing style.
Tom
December 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
First of all congratulation for such a great site. I learned a lot reading article here today. I will make sure i visit this site once a day so i can learn more.
graham
December 19th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Thanks a lot for your kind words, Tom.
Rose
December 21st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
when one I surrounded with happy people he forgets about his problems and starts thinking positive. of course, this doesn’t make his problems disappear or solved, but it give him enough power and energy to tackle daily difficulties.
graham
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
‘this doesn’t make his problems disappear or solved, but it give him enough power and energy to tackle daily difficulties.’
Rose, I think that’s a really good way to put it.
Thanks!