SURVEY: Family, Altruism and Faith Define Happiness

A survey of "Your Daily Dose of Happiness" subscribers reveals that health and money are not what defines happiness for most people ... but family, altruism and faith do.

CHESTERVILLE, July 28, 2003 -- Family and altruism head popular definitions of happiness, according to a recent survey sponsored by "Your Daily Dose of Happiness".

"Surprisingly, just 4% of respondents mentioned health as part of their definition of happiness," says the newsletter's publisher, David Leonhardt. "Family was mentioned by 17% and altruism was invoked by 16%"

In response to an open-ended question, subscribers in 18 countries mentioned the following elements in their definitions of happiness:

•   Family (17%)
•   Altruism (16%)
•   Choice (14%) -- including wanting what you have, making the best of things, etc.
•   Faith (14%)
•   Love (11%)
•   Self-esteem (10%)
•   Nature (10%)
•   Inner Peace (8%)
•   Friendship (7%)
•   Smile (7%)
•   Success (5%)
•   Appreciation (4%)
•   Health (4%)
•   Money (3%)
•   Other (22%)

The survey was part of a contest, whereby the most creatively expressed variety of definitions was published at www.thehappyguy.com/define-happiness.html .

David Leonhardt is author of Climb your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness and The Get Happy Workbook, as well as publisher of the Your Daily Dose of Happiness.

For more information:
David Leonhardt
613-448-1841
Info@TheHappyGuy.com
http://www.TheHappyGuy.com