Happiness

"90% of happiness is contentment; 10% is joy," Dan Buettner author of Thrive:  Finding Happiness the Blue Zone's Way.

Driving home yesterday I was listening to NPR's interview of author, Dan Buettner.  Interesting.  He said that 40% of happiness comes from one's genes, 15% from chance (like being born with a disability), and 40% from choice.  (I don't know what happened to the other 5%?!)  He also said that people need to experience tolerance, trust, social interaction (6-7 hours each day!), recreation and access to green spaces to support their being happy. 

As dementia caregivers it may very well be difficult to get 6-7 hours each day of social interaction (he said it had to be face-to-face - not media), but surely we can get some social interaction; and we have a lot of control over the 40% that is choice.  What aspect of your life today can you focus upon to support your happiness?  For me, it is a couple of delightful and supportive phone calls, a walk in the lovely autumn air, and a good dinner with local produce (love those farmer's markets!!) to look forward to this evening.