March 26th, 2024

Happiest Nation On Earth

One place I really hope to visit someday is Bhutan. My intrigue was sparked decades ago when I read the book, Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan.


The book had me ready to board a plane . . . if only it were that easy to get into Bhutan!  And, the country’s Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) fascinates me to this day.


However, despite Bhutan’s commitment to measuring happiness, they are not ranked as the Happiest Nation on Earth. ​

---

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go
of who we think we’re supposed to be
and embracing who we are.”
~ Brené Brown

---

Four Statements
Facilitating Satisfaction

Hello beauties!

Happy start to spring!
Yes, it truly is spring, despite the fact that around here winter wants to linger. 🥶

Back to the idea of how Bhutan studies Happiness.
And who actually IS ranked the Happiest Nation on Earth? 😉

Bhutan implemented its Gross National Happiness Index in 1972 as a way to address the negative impacts of economic growth on the environment and society. In fact, its aim is to set the country on a development path that moves beyond material well-being.

I hope you are asking, how in the world would you even go about measuring happiness? Let alone accomplishing this for an entire nation decade after decade.

According to the University of Oxford and its Department of International Development, “the GNH Index is a holistic tool based on 33 indicators which measure nine domains: psychological wellbeing; health; education; time use; cultural diversity and resilience; good governance; community vitality; ecological diversity and resilience; and living standards.”

Amazingly, the GNH figures released in 2022 saw an increase from 2015 despite the Pandemic.

With all this commitment to its nation’s well-being, you might think Bhutan MUST be the happiest nation on the earth. Not so. In fact, for the last six consecutive years, Finland has been rated the World’s Happiest Nation.

If this surprises you, you are not alone. In fact, most Finns are said to question this ranking. 🤔 They tend to view themselves as quiet, introverted, and maybe even melancholy. How does that translate into happy?! 😳

I am certain much credit goes to Finland’s wealth, infrastructure, institutions, and the way it cares for its people. But, that can’t explain everything, can it?

Let me be clear.
I do not see “happiness” as some sort of ideal, panacea, or ultimate outcome.

And, I get curious about how a culture is facilitating contentment and satisfaction!

Here’s where I’ll turn to Frank Martela, PhD, a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher who studies the fundamentals of happiness.

Dr. Martela talks about the research that shows people who desperately seek happiness tend to be . . . less happy.

Hmmmmm.

In fact, the Finns believe if you have found happiness, you should not show it. The popular Finnish saying is, “Who has happiness should hide it.” Ostentatious displays of success and wealth are actually shunned. People who are wealthy tend not to stand out with the cars they drive nor the clothes they wear.

How does this help overall happiness? Dr. Martela believes it has to do with our tendency to compare ourselves to others which often has a negative effect on our happiness.

Dr. Martela identifies 3 more Finnish expressions he believes shapes the sense of satisfaction with their lives:

The pessimist will never be disappointed.

• Finns believe that setbacks are a fact of life.
• Everyone will experience pain, disappointment and even tragedy.
• This isn’t something to fear.
• They have the tools needed to emotionally weather challenges.

Everyone is the blacksmith of their own happiness:

• we all have to forge our own happiness;
• what we can accomplish in life and our happiness is often the sum of the people around us;
• how much support we get often determines where we end up in life.

Some have happiness, everyone has summer:

• there are aspects of our lives we can influence or change;
• there are so many things we simply can’t control;
• there is no point in envying those who are happy right now, even if we are struggling;
• sometimes life gives, sometimes it takes;
• tomorrow someone else might be the one having a rough time, while something delightful comes your way;
• no matter the situation, you can always count on one thing: sooner or later, summer will come to us all.

To read Dr. Martela’s article in its entirety, you can click here.

Well, I have officially added Finland to the long list of places I want to visit! 🥰

I’m so glad you’re here,

~ m ♥️

P.S. You know I LOVE learning. Recently, I learned I am behind the times in terms of my rates for private classes. Maybe because I haven’t shifted those rates since 2016?! 🤣 Of course, that’s on me. 😉 Beginning this summer, I’ll be incrementally increasing those rates. Thank you for your continued support. If the cost of yoga classes is keeping you away? Please connect. Let’s explore what’s possible. ​