Lecture 20:

Happiness Across Diverse Communities

“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

     ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Feelings of long term life satisfaction are available across the social-economic spectrum. You may find people of immense wealth and privilege, yet who are deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives. In contrast, we all know people that are of more modest economic means that radiate joy and connection. A person can be “rich” in multiple ways - socially, intellectually, friends and family, emotionally, culturally, etc. Indeed, feelings of long term life satisfaction are most related to feelings of healthy interconnectedness. However, having access to resources and knowledge can provide key support - not only the “how to” but also the opportunity to “do” in practicing as well-lived life filled with peace and joy. Access to these resources varies dramatically across our diverse communities. In general, the higher your economic means, the greater access you may have to mental health resources and providers, including such practices as counseling, therapy, medications, meditation, yoga, exercise gyms, walks in nature, etc. These variations in access can contribute to the large variations in cultural knowledge of mental health practices and techniques. Providing both the knowledge and availability of these practices across our diverse communities is not only right and just, but also key to building a better future for our society as a whole.

In Progress

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Putting Happiness into Practice:

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