Happiness Wisdom

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding … Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. – Proverbs 3:13, 17-18 (NRSV) 

You might be tired of hearing it, but after following people’s lives, temperaments and habits in longitudinal studies, some lasting many decades, neuroscientists really have cracked the code on happiness. The data is clear: the single-biggest factor in determining happiness is not money, social class or IQ. It’s strong relationships.  

We know that loneliness damages our physical health, and having strong ties to community can help us live longer, protect memory and language function, and diminish stress and depression. Wisdom comes not in knowing these facts, but in acting on them.  

If you are feeling a bit lonely and isolated, what steps can you take to lay hold of this proverbial wisdom?  

First, there’s a quiz for that: google “interactive New York Times happiness quiz.” 

Second, go to church. In person, if possible. It may be more convenient to watch church from home while folding your laundry, but the energy exchange that happens with incarnate worship experiences is priceless.  

Third, there are many simple ways you can begin to work on your social connectedness, even for introverts and people who live alone. The New York Times’s happiness quiz follow-up—a 7-day happiness challenge (also googleable)—suggests such nerdily wholesome activities as making an 8-minute phone call to an old friend, thanking someone special to you, or greeting strangers on the street in a friendly way.

Prayer
O Great We, from the very beginning you made more than one of us so that we would not be alone. Help us overcome our internal and culture resistance to depending on and reaching for one another, that we might be healthy, happy and wise.

About the Author
Rev. Molly Baskette is the lead pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC and the author of books about church renewal, parenting, spiritual growth and more. Sign up for her author newsletter or get information about her newest book at mollybaskette.com.