Thursday, February 16, 2012

Elusive Secret of Happiness

Remembering the good times is so important that researchers in the UK have found a clue that
The elusive secret of happiness could be as simple as remembering the good times and forgetting the regrets, a new university study reported
Valentine's Day, 1997 when daughter Julie and SIL Jack married:

Just look at the smiles on all our faces as Julie sets forth on a new journey with her husband Jack! It brings tears to my eyes remembering that joy.

1997, Jack and Julie enjoying their wedding cake on Valentine's Day after their marriage ceremony

Update: Julie has completed her second round of chemotherapy and had a PET scan yesterday in order to better target radiation that begins next week.  She is happy, upbeat, sweet and a joy to have as a daughter.  (Further links to Julie written by her mama can be found here, here, here, and here.)
Further: For people who look at the past through rose-tinted glasses are happier than those who focus on negative past experiences and regrets, according to a new study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
The study helps explain why personality has such a strong influence on a person's happiness and the findings suggest that people with certain personality traits are happier than others because of the way they think about their past, present and future.
The study examined how peoples' ratings on the "Big Five" personality traits relates to their approach to time and life satisfaction.
The "Big Five" model assesses how extroverted, neurotic, open, conscientious and agreeable a person is, and rates individuals as high or low on each personality trait rather than assigning them a personality type.
"We found that highly extraverted people are happier with their lives because they tend to hold a positive, nostalgic view of the past and are less likely to have negative thoughts and regrets.

4 comments:

  1. (Originally posted on Living the Grand Life: What She Said)

    As an uncle to Julie, let me say that she has ALWAYS been an inspiration to me and that she was one, even as a child. I only wish that I could be with her in her adult years; now that she's married -- with Jack, too.

    From what I've heard about Jack, it only stands to reason that the two of them would be together. I say this because if EVER there was anyone that personified the saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," that person would be Julie!

    I love you BOTH and God bless.

    -- Uncle Mac

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  2. I loved the photos. I didn't remember Julie and Jack were married on Valentine's Day. How appropriate!

    Thanks for the update on her cancer treatment. I hope the next step goes well!

    Sharon

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  3. I love Julie's wedding pictures! And, what fun getting married on Valentine's day. She is so strong to endure the treatments with so much grace and optimism. And, you're the greatest mom!

    I am actually relieved to know the information on how we think of the past. I find myself in the category of remembering the good and fun things. There are some things I wish our kids could have experienced from those times.

    Thank you for your uplifting post...prayers to Julie and you Nancy!

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  4. Thank you for the update on Julie. Beautiful wedding pictures. So much joy!

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