Eric Weiner, a former NPR correspondent and author, travelled to a number of countries including Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland which were ranked high on happiness by the World Database of Happiness. His goal was to find out if the people living in these countries were as happy as the database claims and to learn what he could do to improve his own level of happiness. He recorded what he learned in a book titled, The Geography of Bliss. At the end of his book, he said the thing that keeps coming back to him again and again was something he was told by a Bhutanese scholar: “There is no such thing as personal happiness. Happiness is one hundred percent relational.” Mr. Weiner goes on to say, “Our happiness is completely and utterly interwoven with other people: family, friends, neighbors… Happiness is not a noun or a verb. It’s a conjunction. Connective tissue.” In other words, happiness can’t be achieved by focusing only on ourselves. Rather it comes from our connection with others—by being with, talking with and doing things for and with other people.

One Sentence Wisdom

• “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.” — Mother Teresa
• “If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap. If you want happiness for a day—go fishing. If you want happiness for a year—inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime—help someone else.” — Chinese Proverb

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