Have We Lost Our Happiness? - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Have We Lost Our Happiness? - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

It is difficult to define happiness these days, particularly if you watch the hardships that surround us; pandemic misery not the least of them. How can we be happy under trying circumstances? What should we look for to get to that end? How deep do we need to look? Have we lost our happiness?

Yes, I am aware that the pandemic has taken a serious toll on mental health. Suffice to say that anxiety and depression have increased dramatically these past two years with the challenges of the death of loved ones, school closures, restrictions, mandates, etc.

According to the General Social Survey, the share of people who said they were very happy plunged from 31% in 2018 to 19% in 2021, while the share of people who were not too happy surged from 13% to 24%.

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How do we find happiness? Not easy, but doable, with effort.

First, there must be a reason to be happy. Look around. Create those reasons if necessary.

How about simple things? Look to the stars and the planets. What might it be like to be on another planet? Think of the astronauts circling in the space station. Picture yourself in that capsule and reflect on the beauty below, around, and above. Give them a wave when they pass by on one of the sixteen orbits in twenty-four hours.

Walk in the woods. Stop. Listen. Walk down the street. Make a point to say hello to a passerby. Create meaning by doing a good deed, meeting someone new, or just picking up trash. Happiness is giving, helping.

Yes, I am aware of the suffering so many undergo. How can we accept that fate? Can we find meaning in it? I hope so. Much of it is about overcoming a hard road with your head held high. Try to dwell on the upside of life, not the crazy unpleasantness. Find light in the grey. Find sun in the clouds. Is it difficult to do? You bet.

Suffering is part of life. Ask yourself how you feel and what you can do to improve a demanding situation. Take the opportunity to meditate. Think about tomorrow and what you can do differently. If necessary, make a list. Look to the future. Life still waits for you.

Here’s what I like to do to discover the link to feeling happy. I open my journal and I write pleasant thoughts, good things that have happened. I also write unpleasant things, then pause, reread them and then erase them. I think you will be surprised at what comes from this exercise. I am.

Try to be active. With an active life, you can realize the value of creativity, so do something creative (like writing a daily journal). Find a purpose. Volunteer.

It’s also okay to relax and be passive. With passivity, you can take the time to experience beauty, art, music, nature, family, and friends. Happiness can be dwelling in a little corner while you’re doing little. Look for it.

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more HERE.