Don’t Worry, Be Happy

by on April 18, 2006

by: bubba murarka

I don't know Kathy, but she has an good read about happiness initiated by Robert's recent announcement and goals to hang with happy folks.  The mirror neurons + emotional contagion that Kathy explains are fascinating, and made me wonder how they promote/impact group think and the power of groups.  Adding it to the list to read up on. 

Personally, I've trying to be content because I think it's a path to happiness.  I figure once I'm content, things won't bother (as much) and I can focus on happiness.  One of the ways I found to be content is to find people that are happy where they are, but trying to become better in what they do (career or life).  That delicate balance lets them absorb success and failure with an even keel. 

Robert, I think surrounding yourself with people that are happy is a good idea.

  • met
    What if you wanted to do business with unhappy people? Do you decide not to?

    Easy to say but : if Scoble keeps his business life impersonal he might not be so unhappy. People might not find him passionate but ruthless :) Tough choice.
  • Oscar
    Robert and Bubba,

    Happiness isn't something you "pursue" or "focus" or "work" on. This is where tons of people, especially people who think way too much, go horribly wrong. Happiness and contentment are the result of simply living:

    IF YOU OBSERVE A REALLY HAPPY MAN YOU WILL FIND HIM BUILDING A BOAT, WRITING A SYMPHONY, EDUCATING HIS SON, GROWING DOUBLE DAHLIAS IN HIS GARDEN, OR LOOKING FOR DINASAUR EGGS IN THE GOBI DESERT.

    HE WILL NOT BE SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS AS IF IT WERE A COLLAR BUTTON ROLLED UNDER THE RADIATOR.

    HE WILL NOT BE STRIVING FOR IT AS A GOAL IN ITSELF.

    HE WILL HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT HE IS HAPPY IN THE COURSE OF LIVING LIFE 24 CROWDED HOURS OF THE DAY.
  • Yes but you must beware of becoming part of the clueless happy bunch. People often use "happiness" as an escape from true reality and become mindless followers.

    A good way to not become lost in false happiness is to simply learn to acknowledge things that are negative but not participate. If someone is hostile simply look at this person as lacking happiness and say to yourself “Poor fellah” then get back to business. It really is that simple. Participating is a choice, agree?
  • Mark Rechsteiner
    If you are interested in hearing about teams and aggregating their intelligence, check out www.themccarthyshow.com. The hosts have spent the last 10 years researching teamwork and team intelligence.
  • Ah, Bubba. Fancy meeting you here.

    While I tend to eschew pithy sayings, I have to admit that the needlepoint in Doug Purdy's office helps to re-center me every so often:

    >

    I don't try to be content per se, but I do try to accept those things that I cannot change.

    It's pretty hard, but, eh, what are you going to do?

    -mike
  • Arghh! My quotation technique has failed me. Silly me.

    The quote is:

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
  • Devil's Advocate
    "A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
    -- George Bernard Shaw

    One might substitute "happy" or "content" for "reasonable". Being unhappy is you telling yourself you're doing something wrong.
  • Nice to read ya Mike. That quote is one of my favorites, and I wonder how many people have marked truly "groking" that with hitting the elusive quality of "maturity".

    Also, your site doesn't have any pages...tease!
  • Is it good to surround yourself with people who act "happy" or are happy.

    Being happy and acting "happy" are not in fact inextricably linked. There are a lot of happy cranks and grumps out there.
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