But, on closer examination, it makes sense. Happy people tend to be more open, sociable, creative, and flexible. They also have a greater ability to reach out and help others than unhappy people, who tend to be more self-centered and withdrawn. Being joyful is a way to help both yourself and others. Having done this, one then sets about gradually eliminating those factors which lead to suffering and cultivating those which lead to happiness.
Studies show that simply focusing on positive feelings like joy and gratitude makes a difference.
A local newspaper article described a study conducted at the University of California at Davis. One of the professors wanted to test the effects of focusing on positive things. He divided his class of two hundred students into three groups. During each of the following ten weeks, the first group was asked to make a list of five things they were grateful for. The second group was asked to write down five things they found irritating.