"Genes, Events, Values"

I found the link to this article A Formula for Happiness via Twitter. I read the first page, and after I realized how many words the article has, I scanned the other two. I know it started with a list of what contributes to happiness and ended with a discussion about passion, skills and free enterprise. Promise (maybe) I'll finish reading it someday.

Some excerpts:

"After 40 years of research, they (social scientists) attribute happiness to three major sources: genes, events and values."

"About half of happiness is genetically determined. Up to an additional 40 percent comes from the things that have occurred in our recent past — but that won’t last very long."

"That leaves just about 12 percent. That might not sound like much, but the good news is that we can bring that 12 percent under our control. It turns out that choosing to pursue four basic values of faith, family, community and work is the surest path to happiness, given that a certain percentage is genetic and not under our control in any way."

The article wants us to look into the 12 percent, especially work, but I'm immediately bothered by the 40 percent -- because it sounds like it needs to be constantly replenished. Forty percent is a lot, and it seems unfair for it to just fade with time, if you ask me. You bet I tried to think of a way to get around this. For five minutes. Alright, you win, universe.

Image: Breaking Bad