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THIS WEEK WITH MARGARET ... And the Pursuit of Happiness by MARGARET DICKSON term stress is known to weaken our immune systems, leaving them more OK. I know I did not come up with those iconic and much-loved words. vulnerable to all sorts of diseases. We cannot see all of this, of course, Their author is Thomas Jefferson. He penned them into our nation's because it is a swirling chemical mix that affects our bodies for good or for Declaration of Independence, giving form to the yearnings of people who ill, but science tells us it is real, nonetheless. would ban together to create a new nation and signaling hope to others Happiness focused on others or on one's own purpose in life, however, all around the world even today. As a schoolgirl first learning about our causes a positive reaction in our immune systems. Declaration of Independence, I wondered why, if happiness were an Most of us have experienced such happiness although we might not have "inalienable right"— as Jefferson put it, was I not always happy? Why was realized what a positive force it is in our bodies. I think I happy some days, unhappy at other times and just blah in about a 3rd grader I once tutored whose reading improved between the highs and the lows? as I helped him. I think about a single mother and her What young Margaret was overlooking are the key children whom my family "adopted" one Christmas, and words, "the pursuit of." Jefferson was not saying that all a horse my daughter and I found running loose on a rural people have a right to be happy. He articulated that we road. She caught him and we returned him safely to his have a right to try to be happy. own barn. Splitting hairs? Not really. I did not love that 3rd grader or the single mother the But what is happiness and is it good for us? way I love my family and friends, and I was actually a bit Happiness is certainly different for all of us, but for me nervous around the horse who was much, much bigger it often involves spending time with family and friends, than my daughter and me. But I did feel good about knowing that the people I love are safe, well and seemingly helping in each instance, and that is the kind of happiness happy themselves. I experience what I feel as happiness, for The key to good health over the long haul may be balancing differ- the researchers say is positive for our health. example, around the dining table with people I care for as ent kinds of happiness UNC psychology professor Barb Fredrickson, the we share ideas, stories and each other's lives. Good food, primary author of the study, says there are many ways often prepared together, enhances the experience. I suspect to find happiness, all of which are important to our wellbeing. She has most people have similar definitions of happiness — not so much winning found meaning in her own life by writing books using her scientific the lottery as enjoying ordinary life with those we care about most. expertise but meant to help a broad audience. "This is my way to make a That may not be the ultimate happiness, though. positive contribution to society," Fredrickson says. "And it makes me feel Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and good too." UCLA released results of a study earlier this month indicating that all Fredrickson adds that much is left to be learned about happiness and happiness is not created equal — that some kinds of happiness are better that the key to good health over the long haul may be balancing different for us than others. It sounds like if we want to be both happy and healthy, kinds of happiness. we need to focus less on our own happiness and more on that of others. This sounds like another example of what everyone's mother told us The researchers found that while we cannot measure our emotions, growing up — that moderation in all things is the secret including happiness, the way we measure height and weight, they do have of life. physical components. Happiness can improve our health in various ways, And it may be confirmation yet reducing our risk of heart disease, stroke, maybe even cancer. But, they MARGARET DICKSON, Conagain of why we should do unto say, the kind of happiness I find being in the company of loved ones is tributing Writer, COMMENTS? others as we would have them do really a self-centered form of happiness that makes my immune system Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. unto us. act as if it were under stress, which is not usually a good thing. 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