Quiz yourself on how much you know about happiness

Almost everyone seems to want happiness, but how much do you know about how to get it? Here's an opportunity to find out.

1. If you're successful in your career, you're happy.

True ( ) False ( )

2. The person who insists on paying your bill when you're dining at her table is much happier than the average person.

True ( ) False ( )

3. The guy who wins a million dollars in the lottery is guaranteed a happy life as long as he keeps his health, because he'll be financially secure.

True ( ) False ( )

4. People are never born happy or unhappy; happiness is always a result of how life treats us, what happens along the way.

True ( ) False ( )

5. Couples who have children are always happier than those who remain childless.

True ( ) False ( )

6. Comedians are happier than most people because they have a sense of humor.

True ( ) False ( )

7. As education and freedom increase, happiness always follows.

True ( ) False ( )

8. Happiness or unhappiness is a temporary state of mind.

True ( ) False ( )

ANSWERS:

1. False. Some who appear to others to be highly successful may still think of themselves as failures. Some may be so concerned about being able to hang on to their success that they're too anxious and worried to be happy.

2. False. It's much more likely that even though she may be wealthy, she's insecure and feels that the only way she can get attention or love is to buy friendship.

3. False. Money is no guarantee of happiness, and in one survey, married couples reflecting on their past recalled that some of their happiest times actually were when they had less money and were struggling to get by.

4. False. It's true that some babies seem to emerge from the womb happier, friendlier and more outgoing than others. There does seem to be a genetic factor in our happiness.

5. False. This is a myth. While children bring great happiness and many rewards to many individuals, the birth of a child often can create stress in a marriage, and couples who are childless frequently have unusually close, loving relationships that endure throughout their lives.

6. False. Stand-up comics and those who make others laugh frequently have emotionally turbulent lives, with mood swings that often include serious bouts of depression.

7. False. One reason this often isn't true is that expectations also rise. Desires and unmet hopes and expectations block out the joy that might be anticipated.

8. True. This is the good news. For most, sadness is temporary, just as its opposite is. Grief over the loss of a love or the loss of a job doesn't last forever, but usually passes as time itself passes. The depression often disappears in three to six months. Mourning the death of a loved one may take much longer, but eventually a healing process will begin.

If you answered six of these eight questions correctly, you're better informed than most on this subject.