Gross National Happiness … Hmmmph, Now That’s A Concept!

Hi Tom -- I'm with the ice cream answer! :-)  Seriously...great recommendations that each of us would do well (I know I'm negligent) in doing these small things that when combined, can make a big difference.

Hey Tom, I'll take a gross of that Gross National Happiness! Oh, you look just like Mike from a few years ago!

What a terrific post, Tom!  With your inspiration, my goal is NO TV NEWS this weekend.

Like you say, I've always believed that happiness is a state of mind which sounds kind of obvious, but I believe the state of  mind can come first and be controlled by us.

Tom: Thanks for the to-do list. I appreciate it. It's funny how giving to others can make us all a little bit happier. Thanks again for the post!

Tom - Thanks for this post.  I've been making a concerted effort to avoid the news lately and make my own news.  I find that a lot more rewaring.  I like Mark's comment too, our kids don't know and don't care what's going on in the economy and they only want us to be happy with them.  Focusing on family in tough times gives me a lot of clarity!

The people I met in Honduras last year must have already adopted this.  Though one of the poorest nations, they have a highly developed sense of happiness.  It certainly is not dependent on their GNP.  Thanks for the uplifting post.

HI Tom,

You definately have the right idea! Bringing a sense of wellness and hope to the industry is my mission as well and we can use all the positive people as possible at the forefront.

I agree with the idea of the media diet. I have watched the news or read a traditional newspaper for decades.

Thanks!

Tamara

Tom,

Right on!... Happiness is a choice. I choose to be Happy! Therefore, I take the news from the 'pundits' in very small doses (very small...). And you know what, "I feel great!"

Good to see you here and welcome to AR, love your post. Thanks.

3 of my 4 kids are all back in the Pacific NW. I'm having them over for dinner tonight. That's always fun, exciting, loud, and very entertaining!

Rene'

I've been a talk radio listener since I graduated high school in 1979, and for the most part, I have enjoyed 30 years of one way conversations.  Recently however, I turned off the radio and started listening to music again, and oddly enough, the same musice I listened to in high school.  I still know all the words so I get to sing along.  My mood is better, and I face each day on MY TERMS.  What a change! 

We are in jeopardy of losing our American optimism and our national spirit.  The media is wearing us all down, and frankly, it's a shame.  I've decided to take a different path.  Oh, I'm not naive . . . I know the problems are still there (so does every one else), but I'm focusing on local solutions.  I remember reading a slogan when I was in high school "I will keep my eyes on the solution not on the problem" . . . well, that's just what I intend to do.

The idea of Gross National Happiness is intriguing.  Thanks for a great post.  We're all going to pull out of this together!

Tom, I love that --GNH!!  For me my BEST SOURCE of GOOD news is the BIBLE!! :) I make sure I read it daily...because it strengthens me and gives me a clearer view on LIFE!  Of your bullet point list I've done five in the last 24 hours.  Life is short, and there are no guarantees that we will be given tomorrow.  Each day is a gift from Him.  Thanks for the great post!

HI TOM!  Had to come back and say congratuations on your feature!  -- Gabrielle

I am sure the the writer of an article on The National Happiness of Bhutan had good intentions and was looking to cheer some of us up. I don't really know too much about the place so I deicded to do a search on it  

Economy in Bhutan

The chief occupations, which employ more than 60% of the workforce, are small-scale subsistence farming (producing rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, barley, wheat, and potatoes) and the raising of yaks, cattle, sheep, pigs, and tanguns, a sturdy breed of pony valued in mountain transportation. Wood and leather products, processed foods, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, textiles, and handicrafts are also important. Fuels, grain, aircraft, machinery, vehicles, and fabrics are the major imports; cardamom and other spices, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, fruit, and precious stones are the primary exports. Hydroelectric power is a most important resource, with some electricity being exported to India. Tourism is a significant though restricted activity, and it is the country's largest source of foreign exchange. Bhutan's economy is closely tied to that of India, both through trade and monetary links.  I may be wrong but this economic description does not exactily mirror the United States

 Government in Bhutan

Bhutan's hereditary monarch, the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King), is head of state; he is assisted by two advisory councils. The government is headed by a prime minister, who is appointed by the monarch. In 1953 a National Assemby (Tshogdu) was created; 35 of its 150 members are appointed by the king, 10 monastic representatives are selected by the ecclesiastical bodies, and the rest are elected by the people; all serve 3-year terms. The National Assembly is empowered to select and remove the king and to veto his legislation. The assembly must also give the king a periodic vote of confidence. A draft constitution, unveiled in 2005, is expected to be adopted following legislative elections in 2008. Political parties are banned. Administratively, Bhutan is divided into 20 districts.  Who knows, maybe they are really way ahead of us on the road to discovering political sophistication.

A Brief History of Early Bhutan

Although its early history is vague, Bhutan seems to have existed as a political entity for many centuries. At the beginning of the 16th cent. it was ruled by a dual monarchy consisting of a Dharma Raja, or spiritual ruler, and a Deb Raja, or temporal ruler. For much of its early history the Deb Raja held little real power, as the provincial governors (ponlops) became quite strong. In 1720 the Chinese invaded Tibet and established suzerainty over Bhutan. Friction between Bhutan and Indian Bengal culminated in a Bhutanese invasion of Cooch Behar in 1772, followed by a British incursion into Bhutan, but the Tibetan lama's intercession with the governor-general of British India improved relations.  So far I have not seen Bhutan described as a world power now or anytime during its history.

It looks like a nice place to visit, but what Bhutan delivers to the pool of human consciousness is what I politely refer to as 'TOILET SEAT WISDOM.'  Although it may be considered some type of philisophical art in certain international circles for me all it does is add graffiti to the broken down walls of the mess we call the recession or our current economic affairs - which the press hounds us with every single waking moment.  I find the Wikipedia example very interesting. It's like taking a giant step back from years of advances and discoveries medical science has made through connecting the health of the body with the brain.  How does one who is fully aware that we are not living in the time of the Spanish Inquisition believe that you can completely separate physical wellness and mental wellness?  When you are sick about losing your job, when you are sick about having no money in the bank to cover your bills, you're sick? When human beings are in the state of concern about meeting their basic needs it drives the strongest of them into popping pills.  How many push ups and laps around the track does the Bhutan model recommend you do to start feeling better?.  What type of severe illness are we talking about in this brilliant metrical science describes true malady?  Workplace Wellness - give me a break - has anybody ever sat down next to you at a party and said they are depressed about job-losses and workplace disputes and lawsuits. They might be doing okay but they're losing sleep over the national workplace environment.  Political Wellness - well, we still have a democracy and I that probably will be the first thing you are thinking about when the repo guy or the foreclosure guy is exercising their individual freedom by taking your stuff back.  Won't you feel proud that you live in a world of democracy and free choice while you're standing out in the rain and they're pulling your car up on a tow truck.  And last foreign conflicts.  For sure many of us are fed up with the failures of fighting Terrorism in places like Iraq.  A large part of the reason we are in this mess is because we are spending so much money on a war that doesn't pay any dividends.  Other than getting pissed off at gas prices because of escalation of tension in the Middle East most people don't spend a lot of time worrying about foreign conflicts unless you are directly involved in the fight.  Then again maybe I'll go on a hunger strike until they end the war in Iraq and after it's over I'll eat some popcorn, drink wine, see good movie and do all that other great stuff you mentioned.  The sick thing is, even when the media is trying to be nice it still stinks.  LONG LIVE BHUTAN!

Nice post, Tom. Passion rules, for sure! Thanks.

Hi Tom, Best post I've read.  I'm all for you make your own life, why not make it happy all the time.  Way to many people focus on negativity and forget to enjoy themselves.  It's a Good Life!  Take Care, Catherine Kierzek Re/Max Realty 100 Milwaukee  P.S.  With the weather finally sunny and out of the 30's, I think a lot of people's attidudes will change.  Think Spring!

Gross National Happiness - now that is a concept I can fully support!

This came at a good time for me! Lately, I have tried to stay away from the negative conversations at my office--keeping my door shut! I spent some quality time with my family this weekend. AND--I really like the suggestion to THANK SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY. The ecomomic news has overshadowed the sacrifices that are being made for us everyday!

From a HERO'S mom---Sheila Williamson, RE/MAX Ocean Realty, Kill Devil HIlls, NC

Wow, I just posted reasons to be optimistic, but mine read like Readers Digest to your War and Peace. Keep that freak flag flying. Sorry, I was in college in the 60's.