I just finished reading a great book by Dr. Henry Cloud, a psychologist.  I have often wondered why some people appear happier than others living in the same situation.  In the book, "The Law of Happiness," he has helped me understand the dynamic.

He believes that we have made in depth studies of the absence of happiness be exploring pain, hurt, depression and anxiety.  He believes there is an upside to life and that we are wired to experience happiness.  His research has shown that happy people feel better, are healthier, make more money, live longer, and develop more positive relationships.

He believes we all have an internal happiness meter and that over time we tend to have a specified level of happiness.  He states that about 50% of our happiness comes from our internal make up.  This is the result of genetics and environment.  If we are born into a happy family were laughing and support are part of everyday living, we have a head start on being happy.

Many believe that happiness is the result of  personal circumstances.  That is, we win a lottery our happiness meter goes up.  We have a disappointment in our lives, our happiness meter falls.  Cloud's research has shown that after a period of time, sometimes a year or more, the meter returns to its preferred position.  He believes about 10% of our happiness comes from personal circumstances.

What about the other 40% component of long term happiness.  He believes we control this portion and so we are able to actively influence our level of happiness.  He then shares the 13 laws of happiness that all of us control.  I will not attempt to share all of the laws but a couple are my personal favourites and my experience with happy people in my life validate the laws.

The first law is that happy people are givers.  Think of the teachers in a school.  The ones going the extra distance by joining a committee, running an extra curricular activity, offering extra help to students and reaching out and communicating with parents tend to be some of the most positive and happiest teachers in a school.

Another of the laws states that, "Happy People Pursue Goals."  They live on purpose.  They are committed to making a difference.  These are the teachers in a school that carefully plan their lessons.  They work toward successful outcomes.  They are in the business of eliminating failure and find ways to meet the mission of, "learning by all - whatever it takes."  My work in Effective Schools Research has confirmed this law with me.

Cloud believes that happy people, "engage."  They are active in their place of work and in their communities. They accept leadership responsibilities and actively support others in their striving for success.  In a school these are the teachers that take on the extra responsibilities.  They are champions of the school and usually loved by the parents of the students they serve.

"Happy People are Grateful.," is another law.  Cloud's research has shown that happy people are never "hung up" on what they don't have but rather on what they do have.  In a school these are the teachers that are happy to have important work to do.  They may have a difficult job but they see it as a challenge.  They are grateful for the opportunity to influence the future.  In the staff room they try to lead the discussion in a positive direction.  They realize they have been given a gift of influencing the future and are grateful for the time to work on their mission.

The final of the 13 laws is, "Happy People Have Faith."  I would call it hope.  They have a belief that they can find a way to succeed.  Their hopeful outlook spreads to others.  As teachers, they identify the students that most need their help and find ways to support their learning.  They are always looking for new ways of working so that they can achieve better results.  They have a strong commitment to eliminating failure by searching out new ideas and strategies that might help move them forward.

When reading the book, I found myself relating it to the Planning for School and Student Success model created by the Hulley Centre.  The model really does follow the "Laws of Happiness."  If happy people are givers, not lazy, don't wait for someday, pursue goals, fully engage, connect, think well, are grateful, have boundaries, have a calling and have faith, then I believe the same laws apply to good planning by a school staff that cares enough to make a difference for all kids.

I would recommend this book to all teachers with the challenge, "Why not make yourself happy."