Dr. Timothy Sharp despre fericire

Timothy Sharp este doctor in psihologie, colaborator al Universitatilor din Sydney si New South Wales, precum si fondator al Happiness Institute.
Cu siguranta, concluziile sale despre fericire merita luate in calcul si nu trebuie sa ne miram cand vom observa ca in privinte cheie, afirmatiile sale sunt in acord cu al celorlalti cercetatori in domeniu. Dr. Sharp recunoste ca odata pragul saraciei trecut, fericirea nu sporeste si ca aceasta nu rezida nici in achizitionarea bunurilor luxoase:

"Q: What do people think will make them happy, as compared to what actually makes them happy?
A: One of the biggest mistakes many people make is to think they’ll find
happiness in “external” things such as money and/or material possessions.
Although these things aren’t “bad” we know from the research, and from our considerable experience in this area, that the positive feelings we get from “stuff” is only short lived, it’s only temporary and relatively superficial.
In contrast, what really contributes to real and meaningful happiness are
variables such as good quality relationships, optimistic thinking, compassion for others, the ability to identify and utilise strengths and the practice of strategies such as appreciation and gratitude.
In fact, at The Happiness Institute we believe happiness is something you choose. [...]

Q: Does money make us happier?
A: The simple answer is that money does not lead to happiness, except where or when someone is living under extreme hardships such as living below the poverty line. If someone is struggling to eat, or if they don’t have a permanent place to sleep or live, then there’s no doubt that some money (and/or financial stability) will increase their happiness.
But above this point, increasing amounts of money have relatively little impact on happiness. This is not to say that money leads to unhappiness but that more happiness is more likely to come from other endeavours such as building positive relationships and finding purpose and meaning in life."
http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/freeproducts/docs/Happiness%20FAQs.pdf

In alta parte, Dr. Timothy Sharp scrie:

"Why is happiness so hard for us in this day and age that many of us have to take lessons on how to be happy?

Happiness is hard for many people to achieve because they focus on the wrong variables or they’ve not been taught the right things to do!
Despite what many newspapers, glossy magazines, Hollywood movies and TV shows would have us believe, happiness does NOT come from wealth or
income, or even material possessions such as fast cars or large, plasma TV screens.
Nor is happiness directly associated with physical attractiveness or even intelligence. And believe it or not, happiness does not depend on the type of cola you drink, the type of jeans you were or even the model of mobile phone you use!"

Ce ne sfatuieste Timothy Sharp sa facem pentru a ne spori fericirea? Printre altele, sa traim in prezent, putin preocupati de trecut si nu foarte preocupati de viitor, axandu-ne mai mult pe ce avem decat pe ce ne lipseste:

"So how do I become happier?
(g) Live in the moment. Happiness is not something you’ll ever achieve in the future. It won’t come when you have more, or when you’ve reached a goal, or when you’re older, wiser, richer etc. Happiness can only ever be experienced at one point in time – and that’s now.
Happy people spend less time dwelling on the past, and worrying about the future, and more time living in the here and now.

(h) Enjoy the moment. Slightly different to the point above, happiness is not just living in the moment but also, enjoying the moment. Happy people are more grateful. They appreciate what they have, and think
less about what they don’t have. Often times they appreciate small things other people don’t even notice. Some times they’re happy just because!"
http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/freeproducts/docs/The%207%20Most%20Commonly%20Asked%20Questions%20About%20Happiness%20and%20Answers%20from%20Dr.%20Happy..pdf