SHAWVILLE, QUEBEC | Surrounded as we are these days by municipal elections, a possible federal vote, the big fat recession, wars all over the place, natural and environmental disasters (plus some successes), nightmarish government deficits and the equally nightmarish bankers' big bonuses to themselves, not to mention collapsing companies, modern pirates, shrinking water supplies -- the list seems endless - thousands of lost jobs, a rare terrorist threat, drug battles, ravaged economies, and exhausted medical systems . . . it's no wonder the personal gets lost or submerged in our daily lives.

It's so easy to lose sight of our own goals, or of even setting life goals for ourselves, so we seem to stagger from one crisis to the next (especially if we're dependent on the media's ÔnewsÕ reporting); we can't stop running just to stand still, and yet when we are standing still we're too nervous or fear-struck to look around, to appreciate a sunset or hug a child. We're lost in each day's shuffle.

Us, it's us, who seem to fade away while our anxieties and ambitions keep climbing onward, calling themselves with our names.

We all insist that we wish only for happiness, simple happiness. But how do we get there? To start at the start, we need a happiness meter.

Not only will it tell us objectively if we're happy, but how much, and how our happiness level might compare to others'. It can point to how we might increase our happiness, which areas of our lives need work.

To start, the Dalai Lama says happiness is the purpose of life. We non-Buddhists might see other purposes in being alive, but we can use his considerations.

Seven qualities

He lists seven spiritual qualities that bring happiness. (Spirituality, to him, is striving for happiness.) Thus, if we list the seven qualities, measure them, then attach scores to each one, we can come up with a numerical indication of our level of happiness. By looking at how we score on each, we learn which areas of our lives could use more work, and which are providing us with the happiness we're feeling. Easy.

The seven qualities are: love & compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, and a sense of harmony.

Buddhists have developed this list over millennia. Except contentment, they are directed toward others. Spirituality and happiness have to do with our relationships to others, they believe.

That is not what Westerners normally think of as spirituality and happiness.

A few numbers

With the seven qualities on a list, score yourself on each, one to ten, ten being highest.

First, score each a five -- the middle. Then look at each quality and ask, am I more tolerant than the average person, or more patient, or compassionate? Or less? How much, more or less? To answer, consider, first, what you yourself honestly think. No one else will see this scorecard.

Second, recall what others have said about you. Did your high school vote you the most responsible? Does our partner praise your tolerance? Do your kids destroy your patience? Do you carry a grudge? That's not forgiveness. Anger issues? Not so high on love. Once the scoring's done, add them and divide by seven: your happiness index (average). You'll be surprised.

The Dalai Lama says to improve a quality we have to curb our Ôharmful impulses,Õ not, for example, trying Ôto love moreÕ or Ôbe more patient.Õ The more we curb our bad habits (anger, dislike, don't-care attitude, complaining) the higher our score.

The greater our happiness.

Try it.

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Copyright © 2009 Fred Ryan/Log Cabin Chronicles/10.09