What Makes a Country Happy?
by SharifaMcFarlane on 07/01/10 at 11:53 am
Happiness is said to be subjective-for example some people are happiest in the mountains, others are happiest at the beach.
Happiness and the pursuit of happiness tend to occupy our thoughts to a fair degree.
Someone on the Web actually has a happiness quiz that people worldwide can do, which takes a survey of global happiness right at that moment.
http://www.gpeters.com/happy/mood-health.php
People can have many different reasons for being happy.
The accomplishment of a goal, good health, spending time with God, spending quiet time reflecting on the good things that have happened in their lives, eating their favorite food, playing their favorite sport, helping someone else, all contribute to a feeling of happiness.
Happiness is said to be subjective-for example some people are happiest in the mountains, others are happiest at the beach. The World Database of Happiness and the New Economics Foundation has each put together criteria that they use to establish which countries on earth are truly happy. Not all the countries which made each list are rich in terms of finances but some are.
The lists together include Costa Rica, Luxembourg (the world’s richest country), Guatemala (which is regularly hit by hurricanes), Canada (which also made it onto the list of the world’s friendliest countries), Jamaica, Sweden (Swedes can pay up to 80% of their income in taxes), the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic.
The winning countries were selected based on factors such as life expectancy, the level of care exhibited in using the earth’s natural resources and answers to the multiple choice question, “How happy are you?”
For example, in Jamaica, 97 percent of babies are born with the assistance of skilled health professionals and 5% of Jamaica’s energy needs are met from renewable resources.
Costa Rica was also ranked the 8th most stable country in the world by the Economist magazine and the 5th cleanest country in the world by Yale’s EPI.
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26 Comments
Francois Hagnere
Jan 7th, 2010
A great and inspiring post, bravo Sharifa. Aren’t we all looking for paradise? Thank you my friend.
Sharif Ishnin
Jan 7th, 2010
Yes happiness is subjective. Some are short term while others long lasting. Being able to appreciate and thankful for the simpler things in life is usually the better choice of the two..
Guy Hogan
Jan 7th, 2010
I guess we’re all looking for happiness. 5,000 page views a day would make me happy, at least for a while.
Lucas Dié
Jan 7th, 2010
happiness is indeed subjective, and the subjectiveness starts with the questions asked
Themax
Jan 7th, 2010
really really great and inspiring post SharifaMcFarlane,keep up the good work mate
@Guy yes one day you will got such number of view friend!
8Shei8
Jan 7th, 2010
I agree with everyone. Happiness is subjective. We all should be happy everyday simply because we are alive
bluray
Jan 8th, 2010
I like it! A great and inspiring post. Thanks for sharing.
athena goodlight
Jan 8th, 2010
These are very good suggestions…Makes me rethink where to migrate…hmmm
But in the meantime, I’ll be happy where I am.
I really enjoyed this post.
LewSethics
Jan 8th, 2010
Happiness is also momentary.. If we were happy all of the time we’d be walking around as goofy as jay birds.
I’ll be content with being content.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 8th, 2010
Thanks for your kind words Francois.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 8th, 2010
Hi Sharif
It really does help to be able to appreciate the so called little things. What’s little to some people is a really big deal for others.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 8th, 2010
Lol!
At least for a while.
Know what you mean Guy
We sometimes reset the goal.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 8th, 2010
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
Thanks TheMax!
qasimdharamsy
Jan 9th, 2010
Nicely done…well written…good and thanks also…
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
8She, I can tell that your happiness bubbles.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
Thanks Bluray!
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
Hi Athena
I hope your eventual choice suits you.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
You mean jaywalking Lew.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 9th, 2010
Thanks Qas.
drelayaraja
Jan 10th, 2010
gREAT WRITE
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 10th, 2010
magicdarts
Jan 11th, 2010
Contentment with where you live so often depends on those you get to share it with – lovely piece thanks!
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 13th, 2010
Doesn’t it MagicDarts? That’s so true.
Francois Hagnere
Feb 25th, 2010
Really enjoyed coming back to this paradise.
Very best wishes always Sharifa.
François
SharifaMcFarlane
Aug 1st, 2010
Same to you my friend.
Take good care.
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