How do you achieve happiness? Is it a decision or a state of being that comes about due to circumstances? I used to believe the latter and now I think it’s the former. I can decide to be happy no matter what’s going on, although it’s more difficult at some times than others.
According to a new study, I should be predetermined toward less happiness and satisfaction in life because of my liberal leanings. The research actually shows that conservatives are more satisfied due to the belief that life is organized the way it should be, and it’s fair. They (in a sweeping generalization, to be sure) believe that some people deserve to be rich while others deserve poverty. That belief leads to more satisfaction with life in general, as opposed to those who are fighting for – whatever – to be more equitable or fair.
As LiveScience reports:
The difference the researchers saw wasn’t huge, but it was consistent. Across all five surveys, people who identified as having conservative political beliefs were more likely to report stronger feelings of meaning and satisfaction in life than liberals were. The pattern held true whether participants were asked to assess their satisfaction with the previous 24 hours or to look at their lives as a whole.
In other words, accept things as they are, not the way you wish they were.
That works for life in the micro but not the macro. If people weren’t dissatisfied with the way things were, schools, restaurants and transit would still be segregated. Women wouldn’t be “persons” or be allowed to vote. Gay marriage wouldn’t be legal. So many wrongs wouldn’t be righted.
I’m in full agreement that accepting life as it is and being happy with what you have is the secret to personal happiness. But I can’t apply that to the broader scope of life on this planet. I don’t believe society is organized properly or fair, or that everyone who’s in need did it to themselves. If that makes me a little less happy than someone who sees the world as just fine the way it is, that’s okay with me.