Happiest Place on Earth?
Read an interesting article that Forbes.com recently published on the world and our happiness.
“Taking all things together on a scale of one to 10, how happy would you say you are?”
With that question and global surveys, the folks at the World Database of Happiness have ranked 95 nations on a happiness scale.
Switzerland’s citizens closely trail the Danish, each reporting an average happiness level of 8.1 (out of 10), followed by Iceland (7.8), Finland (7.7), Australia (7.7) and Sweden (7.7), all the way down to grim Moldova (3.5).
Veenhoven’s research shows that Scandinavian nations come out on top, making up five of the 13 happiest nations. Denmark tops the list as a whole — its citizens rank their average happiness as 8.2 on a 10-point scale.
Wondering where America falls on the list? We ranked 17th. Why so low? The authors of the study cite, “Americans work longer hours and commute greater distances than virtually any other people in the world.” Maybe so, but is that really an excuse?
Francis de Sales wrote, “The evil one is pleased with sadness and melancholy because he himself is sad and melancholy, and will be so for all of eternity. Hence he desires that everyone should be like himself.”
These days I’m trying to focus more on joy than happiness.
Happiness is something that happens to you while joy is something you can choose.
Happiness is external while joy is internal
So how about you? Are you choosing joy these days? Are you looking for opportunities to be thankful regardless of where you might live or what might be going on?
Tell us one reason you should live with joy today?
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Something I have been reflecting on is that God’s mercies are new every morning. That is a reason to live with joy, in spite of everything else.
Pete, Great Reminder! The Choice is ours…
I have joy because God was available when I showed up this morning to meet with Him. He’s never late, has never stood me up, and always has something to teach me. That the Lord of the universe chooses to be interested in His church, still, amazes me each day. That I get to be a part of His church, still, amazes me even more.
this morning i was reminded of the blessing that it is to be able to see, smell, and hear God’s creation…it’s an amazing morning…
but it’s 10 degrees below average temperature for this time of year…and there’s a 40% chance of rain…according to the morning weather man…
it’s a choice…good stuff pete!
Sure I believe USA ranks 17th. So many folks are unhappy because they focus on what they “don’t” have rather than finding joy and happiness in what they do have. Without a grateful heart and inner joy there can be no happiness. I learned this from my parents and my grandparents who walk(ed) in faith everyday and lead (led) joyful lives. Choices………………..I will be grateful, I will experience joy in everyday things, I choose to love. It’s all up to me …. I’m happy I have a choice.
Ya’ll have a happy, joyful day!
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. the Message…this is why I have joy today
This article doesn’t surprise me. Having traveled through Europe, it seemed as though the happiest people I found were in Switzerland and Austria. Much more so than in America. Seriously, when I was there I felt like I was in a fake world. It was so perfect! People were just so nice! It makes sense just because their lifestyles are so much more laid back than ours; not to mention they have the most ridiculous beautiful scenery to look at every single day!
But at the same time, so many of them don’t know Jesus and have never even heard about Him, and so why are they more happy than we are, when we have the most christian resources and so many believers? And I wonder, can joy really exist without knowing the Lord? I don’t know.
One reason to have joy (as Christians) is because we know there is an end to the hurt and sadness. Evetually, we’ll have our eternity in Heaven. I find joy in that every day. I know that sounds like a gooey Christian answer, but I really mean it.
The reason I should live with joy today is because I have seen the alternative. I see people, everywhere, who are filled with sadness, regret, depression, brokeness, etc. They have fleeting moments of happiness that leave as quickly as they come. The glass is always 1/2 empty for them. They spend a lifetime wishing their lives were different and as they lie on their death bed they realize that everything they ever wanted was right in front of their eyes. I don’t want to be that person. I will choose to be joyful and look for the blessings in every thing.
God has taught me to ‘count it all joy’.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to answer this question, but then I sat down to read my Bible for a while and got my answer in James 1:2-4.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I’ve read that a million times, so it’s not new to me – but my takeaway today is realizing that ultimately the trials (which are are supposed to consider pure joy) lead to us being mature and complete. So today I will choose to consider my “trials” joy, knowing that in the end, God will use them to grow me up in Him.
Joy is a choice. One reason is because we can have joy only if we are God’s. Joy comes from the Lord alone. I struggling choosing to be joy-filled many days when I feel like I’m living the life of “groundhog day”.(you know…my days seem the same..repetative.) I am seriously working on getting rid of my negative spirit and choosing joy in each situation. I was raised around someone very grumpy and negative..it has rubbed off and I never noticed till recently. Thinking before I speak or complain. Thanks Pete…Choose Joy!
Hi Pete!
The research you quoted is the basis for a book called The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. I wrote about it here: http://coffeeshopjournal.com/2008/05/15/the-geography-of-bliss/
What I found really interesting were the conclusions he drew about why each country was happy, what happiness meant to them, and what it meant to him. It was not money that made the people happy: wealthy Qatar was not as happy as poor Bhutan, for instance. Each country had their own personality, and happiness for them therefore meant something that didn’t necessarily translate into happiness for others.
Switzerland, that famed country at the top of the heap, valued order, trust and contentment more than other countries. For them, happiness seemed not to be a joyful emotion, but a settled peace that all was running well in their country. I know that if I were in Switzerland, the source of my happiness would be readily apparent: chocolate.
The book is written from the perspective of a man with no faith, and yet he seems drawn to the more spiritual aspects of happiness. He was clearly looking more for joy than happiness, in my opinion. It’s a great beach read, believe it or not, and really had some insight into life.
I should live with joy today no matter what my circumstances because I am a child of God and no matter what, nothing or no one can take that away. If that thought is not enough to put a good dose of joy into a sad heart, I don’t know what will. I know my Father is totally in love with me and that gives me joy beyond measure.
I woke up this morning! That’s reason for joy! If we all practiced the JOY accrostic, we’d all be joy-filled most of the time: Jesus first; Others second; You last (first letter of each first word spells “JOY”)!
I am seeing God working in my life. The idea of a “renewed mind” was so incomprehensible to me, but just last week I reacted to a situation in a way that made me see so clearly that God _has_ renewed my mind. He still has plenty to do with me, but I am so blessed by the way He is changing me.
In 2005, we gave away or sold almost everything and moved away from the place where we lived. This moment we know we are moving yet again, but do not know to where or exactly when. It like completely starting over in so many ways. Our joy is found in following God no matter how easy or difficult that might be. For in every moment of living and life – for the Christ follower – home is found in Him.
I’m thankful that God gave my life purpose and He has given me some incredible people to take the journey with.
I live with Joy today because no matter what happens, I know God has already given me the victory!!!
I have so much joy, that only God can give me and truly, I CANNOT (let me say it again, CAN NOT) WAIT to go to Heaven!!! That being said, joy just bursts from my heart and out of my mouth all the time!!!!!!!
Pete, for me it all starts with a grateful heart. If I can get my head around being a grateful person, I find myself expressing gratitude and multiplying that feeling in my life. If not, then I’m in the trap and fighting my way out.
I love the topic of Joy because I am categorized as a “happy person”, but my life is no better than anyone elses, I just have the Joy of the Lord! I CHOOSE to have the joy of the lord. Today, I’m joyful because my sins are forgiven and God has a plan for me and wants the best for me.
Thanks, Pete. Having gone through a trial or two lately, this really hit home. It reminds us how desperately Satan wants to rob us of our joy.
Someone sent me an e-mail recently. Under their name was written this liner note: Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.
I’ve got to remember to look them up and thank them for that reminder.
Even in the toughest of circumstances, I can be joyful because of the love God has shown and will continue to show for me, especially in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
I have joy because I know a God that will never leave or forsake me! I’m so joyful when I think about His love for us and His grace and mercy! What an amazing thing…It blows me away that I sometimes let trials get in the way of seeing that joy from Him.
In the words of that great theologian Mark Lowry, “Sure beats hell, sure beats hell, no matter what you’re going through you’re doing pretty well”
This is an interesting study.
I just wrote a blog about this a few weeks ago: http://daniellehodgson.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/discovering-happiness/
I use the word “happiness” but technically I am talking about joy.
Today I am thankful for my family and that God let me teach out of His Word. What an honor.
Great post, Pete. Life isn’t much without joy and we have much for which to be joyful. As you said well, just choosing to change your focus can have a huge impact on your life experience. Thank you, God, for this day…
So true… I gotta say that I want to choose joy ever day. I am thankful for so many things in my life. And with that thankfulness comes happiness. Each day I step back and say thanks. Each day I realize that life is what God intended it to be – different. What more can a person ask?
http://just-another-minute.blogspot.com/
Michael
The happiest place on earth? For me it’s a toss up between Disney World and your house when Brandi makes manicotti. MMM, MMM, GOOOOOD!
PS—She also makes other really good stuff that I can’t remember right now….those are happy days, too.
I have joy mixed with a little sadness. Let me explain my sadness first. I went to my kids school for field day this morning. Well, in my daughter’s 3rd grade class, their is a child who is the known trouble maker who undoubtedly was already in time out at 9:15. Once she joined the group she immediately went into the circle of children and screamed at the top of her lungs for no apparent reason. This obviously got the teacher’s attention and she was instantly removed and isolated from the group. Her teacher said she had already been diagnosed Bi-Polar at 9.(WOW) She was crying and my heart broke for her. God nudged me to go talk to her. We talked a little about self control and how to maybe use some in the group. She then said “Nobody here likes me, they think that I am so ugly-They hate me!” I asked her “do you know who made you?” She just looked at me. I said “God made you and God doesn’t make anything that isn’t beautiful.” I then asked her if she needed a hug and she wasn’t sure and then said yes. I hugged her tight. Based on some of the background I had been told I am not sure how many hugs she gets. I stayed with her the rest of the time. I thought my child needs me way less than this little girl who thinks no one cares. After we hugged she told me that I was her best friend. Now, I feel joy for many reasons. One,being that my children are being raised by parents who hug them, love them and we love God. My children are very blessed. The second reason that I feel joy is because God gently pushed me to share his love with a child that sounded like she really needed it today.
kc – cooking for people who appreciate it brings me joy!!
@ Marla I’m joyful because of individuals like you that care about people the rest of the world ignores. I will join you in praying for this little girl.
I am joyful because I have life!
@ Marla
That is a great story. I wonder how many parents talk bad about this girl with their kids?
I choose joy because God allowed me to be Brianna’s and Jeremy’s mom and Rich’s wife. I choose joy because of my salvation through my belief in Christ who saved me. I choose joy because I live in the USA. I choose joy because I love life.
Needed the lift and refocus, Pastor Pete. Thx!!
Reading Marla’s post fills me with Joy! Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.
God allows me to feel love and show love to others. He has made us relational beings. He has brought flourishing relationships into my life through my family and friends.
Great article. Great post. Great reminder, Pete. Nothing compares to joy, including happiness like you poignantly noted. I could list pages and pages of blessings in my life that bring me joy – and, at times, I take for granted. Joy is precious yet; it’s also the first thing I allow others to steal from me when I’m most vulnerable. However, you’re right – staying focussed on keeping our spirits full of joy is incredibly fulfilling and necessary.
So…I leave for Moldova tomorrow. I shouldn’t smile too much huh?
forgive me if someone has already said this and I didn’t catch it…but based on what Francis de Sales said it is my opinion that the people of Denmark don’t give the evil one much footing then. he is the evil one everywhere not just here. We could stand to learn something from them I suppose.
live with joy today because today is all you’ve got…yesterday’s gone and tomorrow’s not here yet, and when it does come, it’s TODAY!! we only have so many “todays” that God graces us with, so there’s no excuse not to live with joy!
that quote by francis was… woah.
Great post. And I’m not surprised that the people who made those amazing breakfast pastries are among the happiest in the world.
@ Marla. I glad you choice to be kind to her. Too often we get self-involved and just want people to be quite, leave us alone, what ever.
Thanks listening to God’s prompt for you and for being Jesus’ hands and hugs to that little girl.
BA
Pete,
About 5 years ago I got up everyday and went to a job I hated. One Sunday I looked really deep and decided I needed to take a leap of faith. Mostly for my sanity and my family. At that moment I promised myself I would never wake up and whine about my life anymore. I was done.
I now have an amazing career and wake up everyday excited for what it has to bring. No matter what the circumstance, I choose to be joyful and happy. Why? Mainly because life is to short to be something other. I have been miserable and everything else followed suit.
When you find joy and happiness, nothing detours a fantastic day and amazing things happen. The things that used to make you freak out become irrelevant. The world becomes a friend.
Hello Pete from Cardiff UK. I got a link to your site when I posted my latest post which touched on the same subject. Wouldn’t it be a lovely world if everyone counted their blessings. I think a lot of the stress people seem to be afflicted with now is self inflicted by hankering after material goods instead of being thankful for what they have.