Happiness Institute in Australia Gives Joy Lessons

Thirty years ago, it would only have existed in SoCal. Now, there is a Happiness Institute in Sydney, Australia. For $A200 (US$140) an hour, one can get a lesson in being happy. Reports say businesses are spending A$6,000 for half-day sessions for their staff. And a group rate of A$30 is also available. The Institute is not crooked, but what it sells is common sense.

Money does matter, but not as much as a consumer-driven society believes. Around 15% of happiness, according to a Reuters story on the Institute, comes from money and other assets. That is, of course, wrong -- not because the figure is off, but rather because quantifying things like happiness is what makes most people miserable.

Instead, the Institute tries to get people to focus on things like relationships, enjoying the moment, and encourages them to quit keeping up with the Joneses. The head of the Institute, a fellow named Timothy Sharp, advises, "The argument is that if you want to be happy there's a very simple thing you can do: Compare yourself to people who are less well off than you -- poorer, smaller house, car." After all, what family anywhere in the world doesn't feel superior in some way to "The Simpsons?"

Was dinner boring? Some 800 million people will go to be tonight hungry. Feeling better? Two million will die this year from lack of clean drinking water; is there any Perrier in the 'fridge? Malaria will kill another couple million. Forget the Perrier, is there any tonic water next to the milk? Every day above ground is a good one.

Of course, if one wishes further details on being happy, the Happiness Institute will be glad to help. And large donations to the editor enhance happiness as well (his).


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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