Question: Statistical studies show that a person with more friends has a greater chance of feeling happy. Why is that?

Answer: It would seem that friends should bring me even more trouble than happiness. After all, they pass their moods on to me, and I worry about everything that happens to them—good and bad. So I should actually be more upset because of them, since usually a person has more problems in life than joys.

But the point is that people tend to hide their problems and talk about their successes. Therefore, it seems to me that those around me live normally and prosperously. And even if others are not very happy, a shared misfortune is not as frightening. I see that others have the same problems as I do, and I no longer measure my condition against some ideal of happiness.

I understand that I am no worse off than others and that this is simply life. I accept this as a given and lower my standards to the general level accepted in society.

In addition, I see that commercial and industrial systems are built to make life easier for everyone. This is why we unite and create cities and factories. Together, it is easier to survive in this world, and we have more opportunities to enjoy life than each person on their own. Someone living as a hermit in a forest faces a very difficult existence, if they survive at all.

Clearly, connection among all of us benefits us. When problems arise, they become shared and are divided among everyone. By living in society, we learn from each other and take example from others. Therefore, the more I am included in society, the more support and sense of stability I can receive from it.

Everything bad and good that happens in life ultimately evens out. Even though in the end society may bring me more problems than good, these will be the same problems that everyone has, and so I will agree with them.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 242 – Happiness And Social Ties,” 10/17/13

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