When we think about the documents that have framed and influenced our nation, there are few that are more important than The Declaration of Independence. While there were a number of edits and updates made to Jefferson’s original version, one thing that remained constant or consistent throughout were the rights that were given to all Americans for things like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

For many years, researchers have studied the meaning of happiness, which has provided valuable clues to what it takes to live happy and healthy lives. Most recently however, reports have shown that we’ve hit a 50-year low as a nation, which is why we wanted to look at this topic, the pursuit of happiness, on the podcast today.

We want this episode to be a reminder for all of us to enjoy the ride that is this life, be present in the moment, and allow happiness to flow into our lives. 

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and we’d really appreciate you subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform to let us know what you’re enjoying about this show. You can also go to https://www.respectcircles.com/voicemail/ to leave us a message and you can also reach us by email, respectcircles@gmail.com to give us your thoughts. 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

• Our take on whether relationships and community are the keys to a happy life, and an important distinction to make between happiness and joy [3:43]

• Why we think people are so unhappy right now [9:40] 

• AJ’s personal experience with a job that he thought was going to make him happy, and what he would do differently if he could do it over again [12:06]

• The critical role that expectations play when it comes to happiness, and what are the external influences behind these expectations [16:20] 

• Our tips and what we really want you to understand about the pursuit of happiness [24:53]

• Introducing our Models of Respect for this week [31:15]
  
  

Links & Resources: 

The secret to happiness? Here’s some advice from the longest-running study on happiness

How to Find Happiness (Psychology Today) 

Americans Offer Gloomy State of the Nation Report (Gallup)

48: Connecting Across Our Differences 

Richard Williams & LaVar Ball

Jason Arday Was Diagnosed With Autism As A Child And Will Now Be The Youngest Black Professor At The University Of Cambridge