Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas, is known as the happiest country in the world, reported dailymail.co.uk. Success there is measured by happiness, instead of material wealth and riches.
The idea of gross national happiness was developed by Bhutan's previous monarch, the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, as reported by independent.co.uk.
The philosophy has been expanded into a guiding principle based on four central pillars: equitable social development, cultural preservation, conservation of the environment and promotion of good governance.
From a psychological standpoint of view, “happiness is a by-product of a pleasant, engaged, and meaningful life,” said American psychologist Martin Seligman in his work Exploring Philosophy. Among the students at BYUH there is a common theme for happiness.
“The honest answer,” said Lexi Neil, a freshman majoring in peacebuilding from Arizona, “is that the gospel makes me happy, as does my family.”
Elder Keyes, a service missionary from Canada working at the Counseling Services Center, said, “Almost all happiness is rooted in relationships. With your family, friends, employer or marriage partner. People are the saddest when they are alone. Older people value relationships more and more; with their children and grandchildren. Those who are miserable are those who aren’t connected to their family, who don’t get visited, who wish more friends would come.”
Nevertheless Bhutan is not without opposition and challenges, according to independent.co.uk. There is poverty, especially in the rural areas, and in a nation where television arrived only in the late 1990s, there are enduring concerns about the dilution of traditional culture.
This young democracy, which was an absolute monarchy until four years ago, is confronting a series of challenges, perhaps most pertinently providing meaningful jobs for its young people. Increasing urbanization and a shift away from farming, means there are growing numbers of young adults who do not want to take on work at their family's farm.
There are social problems, too, with drug abuse and rowdy gangs.
Keyes said about challenges, “You have to have a big picture. It doesn’t matter what the circumstance is. It matters how you handle it.”
He said too many people spend too much time and energy asking themselves why they have trials in their lives, and try to find reasons in their doing or omitting of certain things. He continued, “Life is full of random events. We can’t avoid all of them. But with whatever comes our way, we can handle it.“
"Don’t put too much meaning on everything, but take what is in front of you and act in the present. Tackle it there. If you have a partnership with family of friends or the Lord, you will probably do better with whatever you are struggling with.”
Neil said, “It helps when I try to not focus on myself, but on other people and help them, and to keep a good perspective. When I am really stressed out I just smile and tell myself: ‘It’s all good! Our happiness depends on our degree of gratitude. Being good with what you have in the moment, even though it’s never perfect. When you keep waiting [for that] you are never going to be happy.”
Yi Lung Huang, a freshman majoring in graphic design from Taiwan, said, “What makes me happy is when I feel like I am valuable to somebody. It’s probably the worst thing ever when you feel that nobody needs you. When you can do something for others, that’s what makes you happy.” He also stated Taiwanese people are happy because of the unity they share, and also due to the fact that Taiwan is an island without a lot of immigration.
In first world countries, Huang saw the problem that people feel dissatisfied easily. “People complain everywhere. About government. About society. When you live in modern society with so many material things around you, that makes you want more. And if you can’t get it, then you aren’t happy.”