I’m always fascinated by those surveys that rank the “happiest” countries on earth. For whatever reason, the Scandinavian countries often cluster toward the top of these lists. So what do Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland have that the rest of the world doesn’t? It’s certainly not the weather! And during the winter months, the capital cities in these countries receive between 6-7 hours of sunlight—that’s 17-18 hours of twilight or darkness! So what gives with these happiness surveys?
The World Happiness Report invites survey participants to imagine a ladder with steps numbering from zero to ten, with ten being the best possible life and zero being the worst. Respondents are then asked to report the rung on which they are currently “standing” and the rung which represents their highest expectations. If the difference between your current step and your highest step is low, you are considered happier than if that difference is higher. It turns out that in Nordic countries, the average life rung is a 4 but the highest expectation is a 6; the two-point difference is small, yielding a higher happiness score.
Can you guess what the difference is in the United States? Our average current rung is a 5, but our expectation is a 10, which translates to a significant decrease in happiness. Even though we stand one rung higher than Nordic nations, that 5-point differential between our reality and our expectations dramatically impacts our perception of happiness. To be fair, there’s more to this story than just the gaps between reality and expectation. But I’m reminded of how powerful expectations can be and of how important the practice of gratitude is.
I’m not suggesting we should accept mediocre expectations for our lives. But I would strongly advocate that we learn how to live gratefully, that we resist the never-ending pressure of marketers and advertisers to acquire more, and that we practice being generous and open handed with all we have. As Rick Warren says, “When your yearnings exceed your earnings, your outgo will exceed your income.”
As he wrote from prison facing a most uncertain fate, the apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.” As we consider where true and lasting joy comes from, I pray that we may more deeply internalize Paul’s wisdom concerning contentment, and that we may experience the durable and lasting joy that comes as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
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