Words of Wisdom: Woody Allen edition

The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have. 

If You’re Happy and You Know It… Thank Your Genes?

Have you ever wondered why some people just always seem happy, while others, well, don’t? I have this friend who is in a good mood all the time. I’m not kidding. Got a bad grade on an exam? That’s okay, she’ll do better next time. Boyfriend broke up with her? It wasn’t meant to be, she’s better off. Cat died from feline leukemia? It lived a good life up until the end. Personally, any of those situations would send me into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s head first, but not her. She’s just… happy.

While it seems unfair that some people are just born happy and others aren’t, it’s unfortunately true. Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles have found that a certain gene can actually predict one’s sense of optimism and self-esteem. The oxytocin receptor gene is at the center of this research.