Learning how to be Happy

Do you want to be happy? Do you know how? Are you happy already?

Happiness was Tuesday evening's topic at the Needham Public Library. The Robinson Report's Matt Robinson emceed an event featuring Doctors Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild, who were on hand to discuss their book "The Two Most Important Days".

It was an evening filled with smiles and laughter as Chopra and Vild shared personal anecdotes and quoted philosophers and cultural figures throughout the evening, which started with Robinson asking both speakers how they would define "life purpose".

"There are many types of meditation. They all work." - Sanjiv Chopra 

"There are many ways to define purpose," Vild replied. "I think about purpose as alignment between Heaven and heart. Your purpose can change (over time). It's perfectly fine."

"Another way people find their purpose is they witness something, and they say, 'This is unacceptable,'" Chopra added.

Chopra also says that happiness is hardwired in everyone's DNA, and gratitude is the software. He also mentioned the ability to forgive contributes to happiness. "Get rid of your grudge," he advised the audience, but forgiveness isn't the only necessary ingredient to one's happiness. According to Chopra, everyone must also maintain relationships with friends and give of their time and "treasure talent".

In addition to forgiveness and giving, Chopra recommended another exercise for the audience to try.

"Take thirty 3x5 cards," he said. "Write what happened to you that day. Rate them from 1 to 10. Take the cards rated 6-10, (and) keep those. The secret to happiness is in there."

Helping people be happy is the reason Chopra and Vild decided to write "The Two Most Important Days". Vild says what differentiates their book from the other Self-Help books out there is the exercises in the book for readers to do. There is also something everyone can do that doesn't require any reading.

"The single most important thing you can do to be happier is smile," she said. "Smiling releases endorphins. I smile at you, you smile at me. You can pay it forward."

Forty percent of happiness is genetic, according to Vida. Another 10% is from your living conditions. Your living conditions have nothing to do with whether you live in a mansion or a shack. It's all about how you live.

Chopra says another way of understanding happiness is to watch children.

"I consider children to be philosophers," he said. "If you want to see bliss, go to a playground. We can learn so much from children."

The Big 5

1. Coffee
2. Exercise
3. Vitamin D
4. Nuts
5. Meditation

Chopra reminds everyone the best way to be happy is to make others happy. Vida mentioned how one deals with difficulty can also affect happiness. Learning to manage difficulty is no different than performing everyday chores and functions.

"It affects your happiness and ability to rebound," she said.

There is also a list Chopra calls "The Big 5". These are five simple things someone can do to maintain happiness and help others be happy. Sometimes all it takes is a little gratitude. Happiness, Chopra says, is already hardwired into DNA. Gratitude is the software.