| Religion and spirituality is widespread | | | | meaning may be a key factor in the relation between |
| There are about 40 organized religious faith groups | | | | spirituality and happiness." Expressing and recording |
| around the world, according to | | | | acts of kindness toward others as well as acts of |
| Religioustolerance.org. The major world religions, | | | | altruism and volunteering may help to make children |
| such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism to | | | | happier. |
| name a few, each have over three million followers. | | | | Contributing to Happiness |
| Millions of others practice spirituality in the form of | | | | What does this have to do with midlife coping |
| meditation, prayer and contemplation. | | | | strategies? The same strategies apply to midlifers. |
| Some Humor | | | | Taking on a "game worth playing," being fully |
| Religiousness as well as spirituality is often the target | | | | engaged, quality relationships and being of service all |
| of jokes. Well-known iconoclast Bill Maher tells this | | | | contribute to mid age happiness. Perhaps there is no |
| story of three women and their sons: | | | | real difference amongst the religions; the spiritual |
| Three women are chatting about the qualities of their | | | | principles are shared. Both religion and spiritual practice |
| sons. The first one says: | | | | can contribute to happiness. |
| "I am happy that he has decided to become a priest: | | | | Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of |
| Every time he enters a room, people look at him | | | | Happiness, speculates on the benefits of going to |
| with respect and exclaim: 'My father!'" | | | | religious services on a weekly basis. She assumes |
| The eyes of the second woman shone and she | | | | that the regular ritual: |
| commented: | | | | • comforts people in the face of hard times |
| "Well, I'm even happier to know that my son not | | | | • distracts them from stresses and hassles |
| only followed the priesthood but was appointed | | | | • provides compassion for those less fortunate |
| cardinal. So, when he comes into the room, people | | | | • offers social and emotional support from other |
| lower their heads in respect, kiss his hand and say: | | | | members |
| 'Your Grace!'" | | | | • affirms their identities, values, and lifestyle |
| The third woman remains in silence. The other two | | | | • reinforces their meaning in life (e.g., "We are |
| turn to her and ask: "And what about your son?" | | | | more than just a momentary blip in the universe") |
| "Well, my son...is six feet tall and handsome, with fair | | | | • gives inspiration, awe, and hope (e.g., "I can do |
| hair and blue eyes. Every time he comes into a room, | | | | this," "I'm stirred to go help someone today or |
| people look at one another and say: 'My God!'" | | | | forgive my enemy or save the planet.") |
| Some Research | | | | • is associated with a sense of control and |
| Researchers have studied extensively religiousness | | | | strength in coping with challenges |
| and spirituality. A growing body of psychological | | | | • and likely much more. |
| science is suggesting that religious (including spiritual) | | | | Spiritual awareness |
| people are happier, healthier, and recover better | | | | As people enter middle age, spirituality and/or religion |
| after traumas than non-religious ones. | | | | become more important to them; they are part of |
| For example, 47 percent of people who report | | | | the adult developmental process. |
| attending religious services several times a week | | | | Frederic Hudson, author of The Adult Years: |
| describe themselves as "very happy," versus 28 | | | | Mastering the Art of Self-Renewal notes: |
| percent of those who attend less than once a | | | | "The second half of life is about moving beyond |
| month. Researchers don't know why! | | | | "ego" concerns into the life of the "self, a spiritual |
| Psychologists at the University of British Columbia | | | | aspect of mature life. Through the conscious |
| showed that spirituality was a more important | | | | development of an inner self, we discover |
| contributing factor to children's (8-12 years of age) | | | | connections to universal qualities of life everywhere. |
| happiness than religious practices. | | | | This spiritual awareness transforms our sense of |
| Increased happiness in adults and adolescents | | | | purpose, and we begin to pursue a higher |
| correlated positively to spirituality (an inner belief | | | | consciousness characterized by wholeness, reflection, |
| system that a person relies on for strength and | | | | and trust – investing our energy in forms of life |
| comfort) and religiousness (institutional religious rituals, | | | | and work that will outlive us." |
| practices, and beliefs). | | | | Many thanks to Dr. Fred Horowitz for contributing to |
| The authors concluded that "enhancing personal | | | | this article. |