Its OK not to be very cheerful...

"How to be happy?" 

"How to live life to the fullest?" 

"How to get rid of depression?"

"How to relieve stress?"

In last few months I have googled these questions a lot and found hundreds of articles that revolved around very similar ideas like being grateful, working out, not comparing ourselves with others but as much as I agree with these I do not think they are easy to implement in our routine. These ideas are definitely worth implementing and I will also talk about how I make them work for me but today I have something different to share.

I found a very good article that I think changed the way I think of happiness...

We often feel that we do not feel as happy as others for similar things no matter how much we try, I recently learned that sometimes it also depends on our genetics. According to a research about 50% of individual happiness comes from a genetic set point. That is, we’re each predisposed to a certain level of happiness. Some of us are naturally more inclined to be cheerful than others.

We tend to attribute all of our happiness and sadness to our circumstances but in fact they are only 10% responsible. The rest 40% depends on our choices and actions. 

We find a lot of information about how to work on the last 40% but rarely does anyone talk about the first 50%. We can practice ways to bring more happiness and satisfaction but it is also important that we accept that its OK not be in a cheery delightful mood all the time.