How to Coach Yourself and Others Happiness Is No Accident | Page 53

HAPPY PEOPLE HAVE ALL THE LUCK
Happy people get far less attention than unhappy people.
There is a mountain of research on depression and the many other thousands of ways that
Psychology has categorized our misery. Only recently has the focus begun to turn to happiness.
There are a number of benefits to being joyful. Research indicates that happy people seem to;
1. Have a stronger immune system and therefore better health
2. Live longer.
3. Be more creative.
4. Be more co-operative.
5. Be more productive.
6. Be more successful in their careers.
7. Be liked more.
8. Be judged as more attractive.
9. Be more successful in relationships.
10. Be better equipped to cope with adverse situations.
11. Have a higher self-esteem.
12. Believe they have more control over their lives.
13. Be more optimistic.
Beyond these research findings there may be other unproven benefits to being happy. I believe that
it is happiness that gives us the fuel and the ability to do whatever it is that we want to do.
We can want to do something. But when we want, while we are feeling low or powerless we
cannot achieve anything. Emotional pain is like physical pain in the sense that it keeps directing
our attention onto the thing that causes us pain.
We become like a car stuck in mud. The more that we think, the more that we act all only serves to
dig ourselves into a deeper rut.
The deeper into the rut we get, the more helpless we become.
Happy people are able to stay above any dips in the road. From this point we are able to see
alternative paths and options. This gives us the power and ability to change our reality.

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