Releasing the Genius Releasing the Genius Magazine - Issue 2 | Page 4

Power of
Happiness and
Positivity
The
BY ALVIN BROWN
W
hy is being happy
a state that we
all yearn for, but
somehow it can
remain elusive to
many? Are some of us born to be
happy, or is it something that we can
actually learn? The same way we
learn to acquire and develop any other
skill?
In a 2003–2011 study of happiness,
conducted by California State
Polytechnic, 850 students were
asked these questions: What is
happiness? What makes you happy?
Does happiness impact your work
performance? As would be predicted,
the replies to these questions were
varied and numerous.
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First off, the respondents were unable
to gain a consensus on what exactly
happiness is. The answers to this
question ranged from a certain state
of mind to goals achievement, and yet
many were undefined. Some defined a
state of happiness as a layered process,
where one action led to another
action, which eventually leads to a
state of happiness. Many described
happiness as taking care of the mind
and body through regular exercise,
meditation, and journaling. Others
said that happiness was getting to a
state of flow, where you were being
appropriately challenged with tasks
that made you grow. Then there was
the suggestion that adequate sleep and
managing your time were also good
activities to be mindful of.
Scientists and researchers have also
weighed in on the idea that IQ and a
higher level of intelligence plays a big
part in the achievement of happiness.
They have noted that those with a higher
level of intelligence are more likely
to be open to new experiences that
enable them to grow and develop the
resources that will enable them to get
through future traumatic experiences.
In addition, these people are also
likely to engage in introspective,
creative, and imaginative activities,
which all facilitates the ability to work
through difficult times in life.
So what are some of the benefits of
having the power of happiness and
positivity working in your favour, and
what can we do to achieve this state?
Scientific evidence has also shown