By: Don Caldwell
Will you regret having a family?
Excerpts italicized:
One study suggests that the one thing that brings the greatest meaning and happiness in life (Relationships) is what makes you the unhappiest.
People’s happiness over their lifetime follows a U-shaped curve, with the young and the old the happiest and those in middle age the most unhappy, according to a study cited by The (London) Daily Telegraph.
Young people are carefree and optimistic about their future and dissatisfaction does not begin to kick in until they are in their late 20s, the research indicates.
People over the age of 50 also rated highly on the happiness index, due to their acceptance and satisfaction with their lives.
The study attributed the spike in happiness to good health care and people doing more activities they enjoyed while cutting down on things they disliked.
Middle-aged people, on the other hand, were often burdened by financial and time obligations such as looking after children and caring for their parents.
Would it life be so much happier if we were allowed to have a greater amount of time dedicated to our own personal desires?
It is obvious that such pursuits would keep us entertained and satisfied in the short run, but can they bring us long-term fulfillment?
Most of us can probably state what is supposed to be most important in life, but do we let the values and desires of the world around us cloud us from appreciating what is most important?
If family makes one so miserable is the problem with their behavior or in our own confused beliefs and intentions? A mixture of both, perhaps?
Considering we are perhaps the worst judge of our own selves, could we even truly know the answer to these questions?
(ORIGINAL LINK) Happiness is U-shaped ... which explains why the middle-aged are grumpy - The Telegraph
No comments:
Post a Comment