Are u happy?

I read an article in the Reader's Digest about Happiness a few weeks ago. It had found in a survey of hundreds of people that various factors influenced how happy you were. They ranged from social life, being married/single, pay rates; but the two factors i found most interesting were that:

1. Higher paying jobs
2. Higher scores on IQ tests

were two factors that were "risk factors" for unhappiness.

The reasons it cited for factor 1 were the usual things you always hear - people working in high management positions, highly stressed out, hence too busy to have a balanced social/family life. The reasoning for no 2 being smarter and less happy - they linked back to no1; that you smarter you are thus you get the better jobs.

It made me think though:

1. If we all know that getting paid more and working longer hours often makes our lives less fulfilling why do we still pursue those ambitions?

2. Surely the more "intelligent" you are, the more you should realise this fact?

3. Most of my friends (and myself included) I would classify as SMART and working in higher paid jobs - having the two most classic risk factors. Are they happy? or are we all quietly going through our own quarter life crises ?

I do think that people I know are generally happy - but we all go through down patches ... so my solution for you today if you are going throuhg one of those patches is:

* Be less smart - hence you can be happier (according to the Reader's Digest)- and this you could achieve through copious amounts of alcohol ... hehehehe! Which might get u fired, hence less responsiblity with ur job! WOot!
* Be content in what you have, friends! It's in wanting less and being thankful for what we have that balances out the need for more. (having a wife that does not want to spend money on $20,000 LV handbags helps too!)
* Let God do his thing cause he is in charge

And if none of that works ... (but seriously how can alcohol not help??! Okay maybe only temporary relief) errr ... tune in for the next installment?? :)