1.

That happiness is a choice – in adult life it is not a random or freakish event.

Consider the placebo effect

Endorphin secretion – happy hormones

(ENDO-genous mo-RPHINe)

Positive intervention in one’s own life

2.

Recent financial and political scandals have demonstrated lack of social responsibility and moral ambiguity. Something that infects the body of our societies and accentuates feelings of disempowerment and unhappiness.

“I did nothing wrong” is akin to

“Iwas only following orders”

Understand a culture by looking at its elite or governing classes:

No clear leadership

i.e. Roman Catholic abuses and scandals

Anglican vascillation

Politicians adopting a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude

Media role models that are unattainable archetypes

Consider a culture as a sandwich, that is the top slice; the bottom slice is composed of what have become known as the ‘underclass’. These are a group of people without clear guidance who have established a sub-culture of dysfunction and substance abuse.

There are currently 3 million people in the UK on anti depressants such as Prozac, Ritalin and many others. Symptomatic of the disenfranchisement, stress, anxiety and unhappiness they present.

3.

There are three options or archetypes offered to people:

i) HEDONISM – a life of pleasure and self gratification.

ii) NIHILISM  – a life without meaning or consequence.

iii) THE RAT RACE – work and accumulate as much material wealth as possible.

Is there a viable alternative?

4.

The Ancient Greek idea of Eudemonia, or the Good Life, is as valid today as ever it was and the fundamental question that faces us all is: “What values should we live by in order to live the genuinely good life?”

5.

There are many happiness formulas, however the fast track to ultimate personal happiness comes from creating happiness in others.

6.

The Selfish Gene makes nihilists of us all and leads inevitably to an uncaring culture where stress and anxiety are commonplace and all and everything is fair game in the ‘war of the winners’.

7.

The anti thesis to the nihilistic, hedonistic culture we have allowed to develop is personal responsibility and striving to live a virtuous life where materialism and the accumulation of wealth are not perceived as the only worthwhile objectives.

A culture composed of people who accept responsibility for themselves, their actions and the consequences of those actions is a more caring and inclusive society. Evidence shows us that when these conditions prevail, crime, mental illness, substance abuse and dependence all reduce.

Key words and notions to include:

Care

Compassion

Empathy

Understanding

Humility

Personal growth

Emancipation

Liberty