Happiness is ...

Deep down, we knew it, didn't we? Happiness is born, not made, and happiness begets success - in life as in love - not the other way round. Researchers have found that even an 800,000 per cent pay rise promotes us only one rung up a 10-rung happiness ladder. So all those financial advisers offering happiness through wealth, all those counsellors trying to patch up our failed relationships, and all those advertisers offering holidays in paradise to boost our spirits might as well shut up shop and retrain as inspirational speakers and preachers. Nothing will make us happy unless we believe it will. Optimism rules: OK.

Deep down, we knew it, didn't we? Happiness is born, not made, and happiness begets success - in life as in love - not the other way round. Researchers have found that even an 800,000 per cent pay rise promotes us only one rung up a 10-rung happiness ladder. So all those financial advisers offering happiness through wealth, all those counsellors trying to patch up our failed relationships, and all those advertisers offering holidays in paradise to boost our spirits might as well shut up shop and retrain as inspirational speakers and preachers. Nothing will make us happy unless we believe it will. Optimism rules: OK.