Why are some people more easily happy than others?

[sbo]

I'm curious why some people no matter their circumstances are more inclined to be happy while others in similar situations are never happy?

[tomato]

I'm curious why some people no matter their circumstances are more inclined to be happy while others in similar situations are never happy?

I am curious also. Are we born with positive or negative attitudes or are they developed?

[sixfeet]

I don't believe there is much doubt about a person's happiness being the result nature and nuture. What interest me most is if it possible be become a happier person. I've heard ideas about each of us having a "set-point" of happiness, a level of happiness we generally return to. But I've also heard about things we can do to increase happiness like finding meaningful work, developing close relationships, getting involved in important causes.

[tymee]

I feel like I have become more happy as I've gotten older. I'm not sure why though. Maybe having a job I like and my own place. I probably feel better about myself and more independent.

[redshoes]

I feel the same as tymee. As I grow older I know what really makes me happy and what I should stay away from. I also became more confident and that helps me out of hard situation that could lead to unhappy results. Happiness is also how we define it and what expectation we have. I found that if I have high expectations for other people that could lead to more unhapiness than if I would have high expectations for myself.

[thrifty]

I think as we all mature we become more clear on what we want and what we DON'T want in our lives. Having that knowledge allows us to weed out the drama and other undesirables. However, I think that our happiness truly stems from the thoughts we have and the perspective we take on life. No matter what, our perceptions create our reality. In this respect, our lives could be riddled w/ chaos but if our perceptions are that everything is "Okay" then our happiness is less likely to be compromised. I try to use this mindset when I get bummed about money issues:)

[sailaway]

I agree with you thrifty that mindset has a lot to do with how we experience things and the the conclusions we draw. I think the healthier my perspective the better able I am to cope. Life can get a little crazy for us all at times. And I am definitely effected, but probably not as much so as in years gone by when I was more confused as a person. Money is just one way I used to act out and the truth be told a means by which I'm still vulnerable.