Happiness Depends on Happenings

Pretend you paid cash for your favorite vehicle—a Mercedes perhaps, or a Dodge Viper or maybe you favor a Jaguar. You included every accessory you ever imagined--leather seats, the best sound system, and a GPS. Hopping into your bright new car brings delightful happiness.

As you are driving out of the dealership, an out-of-control garbage truck crushes into the left side of your car, spilling smelly trash all over your shining exterior. Suddenly you are shocked, angry, and decidedly unhappy. In a nanosecond, your mood changes from elation to dejection.

This thought experiment tells us that happiness depends to a certain extent on happenings. When your life glides on silky waters as smoothly as a sailboat in a soft, summer breeze, you radiate happiness. When your life resembles a leaky vessel, you exude unhappiness.

Behavior scientists have shown that happiness goes beyond happenings. Experimental psychologists investigating the possibility of happiness have uncovered the futility of pinning our hopes on any good fortune that comes our way. A study of lottery winners showed that sudden wealth had no lasting effect on happiness. Months after their stroke of luck, lottery winners were no happier than nonwinners:

Bud Post won $16 million in the Pennsylvania lottery, but now lives on his Social Security check. His girlfriend successfully sued him for a share of his winnings. A brother tried to kill him for his money. Other siblings convinced him to contribute to losing business ventures. Bud spent time in jail for firing a gun at a bill collector. Within a year, he was $1 million in debt. (Advice to parents: If you want a wealthy son don’t name him Bud.)

Soon after winning $1 million in a lottery, Charles Riddle was divorced, faced several lawsuits, and was indicted for selling cocaine.

Julie Lee won $18 million. Her generosity to politicians, educators, and community organizations contributed to her downfall. Eight years after winning the lottery, Lee had only $700 left.

Willie Hurt won $3.1 million. Within two years, he had spent his fortune on crack cocaine.

A Southeastern family won $4.2 million. They bought a huge house and lost the rest of the money to greedy family members.

Joy, in contrast, comes from within, from treasures in the heart where rust can't consume, cars can't crash, sailboats can't flounder, money can't flitter away. Joy comes from loving and being loved, from seeing the face of God in brief encounters and enduring relationships.