How happiness is slipping away from us

"Happiness comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed" - Storm Jameson

Remember the nursery rhyme - 'The more we get together the happier we are?' It would appear that society is going in the opposite direction. A recent study found that people spend 34% of time by themselves. Time spent with family and friends dropped 58%

• We are socializing less - no time, no inclination
• We are more stressed - with work and personal responsibilities
• We are less active physically - everything is available at the press of a button - in our kitchens, entertainment areas etc.

Perhaps this is also the cause for the higher degree of stress in society, which is showing up with some very negative results, and which is aggravated by having two spouses working, and less time available for the children.

All this flies in the face of the perception that money and conveniences can buy happiness. More than wealth, income and conveniences is the need for social interaction, because we are a social species.

With the lesser social interaction, we also face concerns of less personal safety, security and trust. All pointing to the need for more social interaction, sharing and consulting with others, and making a break from the rut and routine we are in.

• We need to socialize more! - that is face to face instead of, or in addition to the Internet social networking.
• We need to generate more humor and laughter!
• We need to enjoy life instead of enduring it!

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R