Podcast: Is Happiness the Right Goal?
Or is a life of service more important than leading a life that is happy?
Is Happiness the Right Goal?
I was recently challenged on the Laura Ingraham Show with the question of whether or not it is good for our society, or even for our children themselves, for parents to pursue happiness. Listen to this podcast for my response!
From Our Bookshelf: Achieving Happiness and Peace of Mind
A round-up of recent books on happiness and innovative approaches in therapy.
Is the World Really Doomed?
Steven Pinker’s newest book leverages long-term data to show that the state of the world is improving, even if it's hard to believe.
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Comments
An interesting podcast! I think one of the keywords to illustrate the right meaning of this ‘happiness goal’ is to add *lasting* as a qualification (which also distinguishes it from instant gratification). Because of this focus on the long-term, it brings back the importance of the ‘happiness being a skill’ idea as well as answer some of the confusion stemming from the ‘wrong happiness’ view, as well explained with the example of the father letting his 2 years old watch as much TV as he wants, as given in the show…
Simon Lacoste-Julien | 10:12 am, March 30, 2012 | Link
Interesting. I don’t think that happiness is a “thing in in itself,” but rather the derivative experience of beng able to cope with the normal life tasks both children and adults have to confront in life. Among those are coping with oneself, coping with others, coping with our past, and coping with God (spirituality). Teaching children to develop the personality traits needed for effective coping will go a long way to helping them acheive ongoing happiness. In addition, negative experiences can be the necessary incentives to learn and grow.
Loren E Pedersen, PhD | 10:53 am, April 4, 2012 | Link
An interesting podcast! I think one of the keywords to
illustrate the right meaning of this ‘happiness goal’ is
to add *lasting* as a qualification (which also
distinguishes it from instant gratification). Because
of this focus on the long-term, it brings back the
importance of the ‘happiness being a skill’ idea as
well as answer some of the confusion stemming from
the ‘wrong happiness’ view, as well explained with
the example of the father letting his 2 years old
watch as much TV as he wants, as given in the show…
شات صوتي | 7:25 am, May 24, 2012 | Link
thhaankkssss
دردشة صوتية | 7:26 am, May 24, 2012 | Link