ambivalence

We are constantly pursuing happiness, an elusive destination at which we can never really arrive if we don’t know how to appreciate ourselves. Many believe that we either choose to be happy or not, and that we are a sole determinant of our own happiness. A study published by Psychological Science suggested that happiness not only coexist with personality, but that innate personality traits cause happiness. Another study in Social Science & Medicine shows that the happiness follows a curve, in which it trends downwards with age and upwards again among the older age group. And contrary to popular belief, the curve is not affected by income, education, or marital status.

On another note, boosting a poor country’s living condition would really help its people achieve a certain level of happiness. And in richer countries, perhaps happiness can be attained through a more balanced work and home life.