We bring this to our readers because we care. In the 44 years of my
business, in one way or another I have said the same things to clients year
in and year out. People over the years have been good to us for which we
give Our Thanks. Hopefully, with things like this and other things that we
do to help clients, we have given back some of the goodness and friendship
we have received. *Fred Baker*

There is a 72 year old study that began back in 1937, recently
reported by *Atlantic
Monthly *in the June issue. At the time, 268 Harvard University sophomores
were asked to participate in a study measuring “a mix of love, work, and
adaptation-for a good life.” Many of those who were college sophomores in
1937 have died or are in their twilight years, the study continues to be
diligently maintained to this day.

To the best of the knowledge of people questioned, never before "has science
been able to report such fascinating and thoroughly time-tested results on
happiness" according to writings on the subject from different sources.
Here are 3 lessons from this study. Comments are excerpted from different
venues including *Yahoo, Atlantic Monthly* and others.

*1. Have an Outlet other than work for Frustrations that may interrupt your
life from time to time.*

"Many of the people in this study made big money in powerful careers. They
had beautiful families and lived in idyllic neighborhoods. Oddly enough,
later in life, many of these fortunate people ended up breaking down
mentally and physically. Why? If one didn’t have a healthy outlet for their
fears, nerves, and struggles, it was only a matter of time before repressed
demons erupted to the surface. *The happiest people in this study had a
healthy outlet*. They were altruistic and/or had a rich sense of humor. They
funneled "their frustrations into sport', “their lust into courtship.” "

As the study seems to prove, a human being can get away with sustaining
daily nerves, fears, and doubts for a number of years. But ultimately, a
person under pressures mentioned will crack. If you haven’t already,
develop an outlet…find a sport, commit to helping others, lighten up, and
laugh more often. A wise one said, "A person without a sense of humor is
like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."

*2. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously (This is one of the biggest problems
in this narcissistic and selfish age)*

"The study was summed up by the journalist Joshua Shenk: “Herein lies the
key to a good life--not rules to follow, nor problems to avoid-- but an
engaged humility, an earnest acceptance of life’s pains and promises.”

In other words, one can only carry the burden of a big ego (sometimes the
other way - a little ego trying to be big) and lots of pride for so long
before your proverbial knees will buckle. Don’t take life too seriously. We
all have weaknesses. Do you really want to battle your dark side year after
year? Or might it just be time to lay down your arms, take a deep breath,
and enjoy life. It’s shorter than you think."
*
3. Happiness Must be Shared*

There is a book *Into the Wild* which was made into a movie. It is the
true story of a Chris McCandless, who, fed up with the rat race, after
graduating college in the early 90's, left his parents, worrried, sold all
his "stuff", and, then, zipped off to the Alaska to wander it's wilderness.
He died of starvation; but, from his writings left behind, he seemed to
regret his choice and wrote these last words in his journal, “Happiness is
only real when shared.” According to the study, about which we are writing,
he was 100% correct. In the study, "those who spent too much alone time
ultimately struggled." The happiest subjects in the study were "those who
sustained meaningful, healthy relationships with friends and family." The
conclusion: "One can never give enough hugs, say enough "I love you's," and
send enough "I miss you's." "

David Romanelli opines, "Livin' the good life is not fancy trips, and
expensive jewels, and high-brow country clubs. *Rather, livin' the good life
is livin' the moment!*


***For further and indepth information on the study, get or research the
ATLANTIC MAGAZINE, June 2009.