posted July 08, 2014 10:30 AM            

After following the lives of several hundred people since 1938, here's what they listed as the top 5 secrets that will lead you to greater happiness, joy and fulfillment:

1) Love is All You Need

I’m sure you’ve heard the cliche that it’s “lonely at the top”…

One of the most important findings of the study is that relationships are what really matter in life.

You can have all of the money, success and power in the world, but without close, loving relationships, you’ll most likely never experience true happiness.

2) Regardless of How You Begin Life, You Can Become Happier

No matter how bleak your childhood was or how difficult the circumstances you may find yourself in now, it’s never too late to turn things around.

The researchers found that the key is to change what you choose to focus on.

If you focus on what’s not working in your life, you’ll notice more and more of what it is that you don’t want - and life will continue to look dimmer and dimmer.

But, if you switch your focus to love - to where it’s present in your life and to how you can cultivate more of it with others - you can go from being the saddest person you know to being the happiest and most fulfilled very, very quickly.

3) Close Connections = Greater Joy

The study also found that the closer the connections or social ties you have with others, the happier, healthier and less stressed you’ll be.

Take note that this doesn’t mean that you need to have dozens and dozens of close friends…

Most people would find that many connections difficult to manage!

Instead, it has to do with the QUALITY (not the quantity) of the connections you do have.

The more you feel accepted and like you can “just be yourself” with the people around you, the more fulfilled and happy you’ll feel.

4) There’s Zero Correlation Between Money & Happiness

While making a good living can give you the freedom to travel, splurge on luxury items and do more of the things you love…

Getting paid MORE money doesn't mean that you’ll feel MORE happy.

The study found that feeling a sense of contentment in the work you do is the key to living a more meaningful life, rather than how much money you get paid for it.

5) Care Less About What Others Think or Say

The study also found that worrying about other people’s opinions is one of the biggest blocks to our happiness.

While it’s good to be open to criticism in order to learn and grow into a better version of yourself…

Spending too much time and energy on what others think or say is a recipe for unhappiness.

Instead, embrace uncertainty and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Life is short, and at the end of the day, if you take a moment to reflect and you know you’ve done your personal best…

posted July 08, 2014 11:30 AM            

Ensuring that both my sons go to Harvard, and then on to medical/business/law school.

With a 5.9% admissions rate, Harvard isn't taking any kids with just love. Sounds like the "love" crowd at Harvard already got into Harvard.

Without success, you ain't getting no 2300+ on your SATs or 3.9+ GPA in high school, and you ain't going to Harvard.

If your childhood sucked and was bleak, the odds are stacked against you because you ain't be having no parents to push your ass to study, and ultimately, you ain't be going to no Harvard.

If you be having lots of close connections in high school, especially a steady boyfriend/girlfriend, you ain't be studying and ain't be getting no good grades, and so you ain't be going to Harvard.

If you ain't be having no money, you ain't be able to payz the $62K for nine months, and so your broke ass ain't be going to Harvard.

Sounds like the "happy crew" are already at Harvard and they not be wanting too many more than 1-in-18 kids to attend Harvard.

And therefore, I hereby conclude that success, power and money are critically important to being happy. Those who say money are not important: (1) are already successful and have lots of money, or (2) don't have a flipping chance in life and thus rationalize that money cannot be important because they can't attain what they want in the first place.

posted July 08, 2014 11:35 AM            

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Want To Ask Any Question About Bible Prophecy? Go For it. It is Free, of course.

posted July 08, 2014 03:22 PM            

Love
Focus
Concord
Fulfillment
Listen to your Heart

Sounds like a recipe for Happiness to me.

Thank You, Randall.

May all your Wishes Come True.

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Love,

posted July 08, 2014 03:28 PM            

This woman lived to be 122+ and attributed her longevity to a philosophy that made stress a non issue...she did have money, but many wealthy folk die early so that is hardly important.

She did also use a lot of olive oil but smoked and ate a lot of chocolate and, apparently, port wine on a daily basis. Happiness appears to have trumped health "consciousness"

"If you can't do anything about it, forget about it" she told a reporter who interviewed her on her 121st...she remained lucid till her dying day.

posted July 08, 2014 03:38 PM            

Then there is the ability to see beauty and love even in a concentration camp...love is an inside job not dependent on outer objects or conditions

posted July 08, 2014 03:42 PM            

There's more to life than education and money. Even famous and/or wealthy people commit crimes, commit suicide, and etc just like everyone else. If money/education were the answer those things would never happen.

posted July 10, 2014 06:38 PM            

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Love,

posted July 12, 2014 03:01 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by DeepFreeze:
Thanks Randall.

There's more to life than education and money. Even famous and/or wealthy people commit crimes, commit suicide, and etc just like everyone else. If money/education were the answer those things would never happen.

People need love, closeness, purpose...

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