The Mystery of Happiness

Thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.

But I still see so many people focused on what they are (smart, funny, attractive), rather than what they do and how they do it- who can't understand why they feel malaise and lack personal satisfaction.

I've seen people, who revel in being intelligent, look down on very religious people and their practices for not being sufficiently 21st century.

I've long believed that one of the best thing a parent can do for a child (beyond the obvious basics) is to find a way to get them into a hobby or pursuit that gives the child the experience of commitment and devotion to an activity (musical instrument, religion, sport- it doesn't matter).

Do you think the psychiatric community has yet made the connection between the increasing numbers of generally depressed (or unmotivated), self-medicating (food, alcohol, etc.) people AND the de-emphasis in our society of the things you noted in your article?

Thank you Byram, I enjoyed it too. The notion of enlightened activities struck a chord and put me in mind of a tenet from Hinduism:

Any worthwhile activity, however ordinary, but done in the right spirit, takes us one step closer to happiness.

Time to do the dishes!