01 Why Are You Happy?
mysterious
A number of musicians have died under mysterious circumstances, including Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones and Jim Morrison from the Doors.
What does Confucianism say is the source of happiness?
Confucianism suggests that one can be happy by understanding human nature, by engaging in social relationships, and by doing good things that will benefit others.
instinctive
Flying south in the autumn is an instinctive behavior of birds.
astonishing
Happiness experts have discovered some astonishing facts.
How did Martin Seligman change the way the field of psychology thinks about human happiness?
He advised psychologists to focus on what makes people happy rather than on what makes them unhappy.
philosophical
He was philosophical about the loss of his job and used it as a means of moving into a different career.
cheerful
Her cheerful personality was appreciated by all her coworkers.
devotion
Her devotion to her studies paid off with high grades.
astonished
I was astonished to discover that some people are born with a greater capacity for happiness than others.
devoted
Most parents are very devoted to their children.
thrilling.
Parachuting over the desert was truly thrilling.
instinctively
Parents often instinctively know when their children are lying or telling the truth.
Philosophy
Philosophy is one of the major subjects studied at university.
How much of our happiness may be the result of our genetic makeup?
Scientific studies suggest that about 50 percent of our happiness comes from our genes.
thrill
She got a real thrill when her daughter won the swimming race.
longingly
She looked longingly at the shoes in the store.
asserted
The United States asserted its independence from Great Britain in 1776, but it did not become a reality until the end of the War of Independence in 1783.
cheered
The fans were instantly cheered up by the late goal, which gave their team the win.
assertion
The government's assertion that the recession was over did little to reassure the small businesses that were still struggling.
obscure
The instructions for video games are often so obscure that it is much easier to learn to play through trial and error than by reading the instruction manual.
mystery
The mystery of Flight 19, a group of five Navy airplanes that disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle, has never been solved.
long
The new clothes, cars, and other things we long for don't necessarily make us happier.
obscurity
The obscurity of many legal documents means that average people often cannot understand them without the help of a lawyer.
esteem
a feeling of respect for someone, or a good opinion of someone.
steak
a large, thick piece of good-quality red meat .
monk
a member of an all-male religious group that lives apart from other people.
restaurant
a place where you can buy and eat a meal.
astonishing
amazing, surprising, shocking.
mystery
an event, situation, etc., that people do not understand or cannot explain because they do not know enough about it.
discipline
control, regulation, restraint.
longing
desire, wish, want.
review
evaluation, assessment, description.
thrill
excitement, pleasure, adventure.
cheerful
happy, positive, joyful.
boost
increase, enhance, improve.
intervention
interference, treatment, interruption.
instinctively
occurring because of a natural tendency to behave in a particular way or a natural ability to know something that is not learned.
deed
something a person does, especially something that is very good or bad.
assert
state, declare, claim.
pace
the speed at which something happens or is done .
philosophy
the study of the nature and meaning of existence, truth, good, and evil.
manner
the way in which something is done or happens.
graft
to add something very different to something, so that it becomes part of it.
inherit
to be born with the same character or physical appearance as
devote
to use all or most of your time and effort in order to do something or help someone.
therapy
treatment that helps someone feel better or grow stronger.
obscure
unclear, vague, difficult to understand.