Newseum

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, an new giant morphs the landscape, proclaiming the five freedoms of the First Amendment; speech, press, religion, assembly, petition.

The 250,000 square-foot facility covers five centuries of news history within its seven levels.  The building includes 15 theaters and 14 major galleries of permanent exhibits in addition to its temporary displays.

I came across this via my Illinois Alumni magazine as both the CEO and Executive Director are both UofI graduates.

Click on the picture to enlarge and read the inscription on the building.

I think this would be an awesome place to visit.  For details, click the Newseum link.

Happiness, does it matter ???

This entry is brought to you courtesy of my Illinois Alumni magazine, featuring an article titled "Five Propositions About Happiness" based on a book by Professor of Psychology Ed Diener of the University of Illinois.

Professor Diener has studied happiness for the past 30 years and has developed the following five propositions.





1:  Maybe money can buy happiness.  Global data aggregated over almost 30 years shows that self-reported life satisfaction levels do rise with income.  It has become scientific fact taht there is a relationship between prosperity and happiness.

2: Maybe money can't by happiness.  In those lucky nations endowed with a decent standard of living, happiness is, for sure, related to income - but strongly related only to a point.  In the U.S., the point is around $40,000.  Once basic economic needs are met, there are different drivers of satisfaction and fullfillment.  Once the $40,000 threshold is reached, the rising happiness curve flattens.

3: Happiness is not a goal.  Happiness is a matter more of wealth than of money, wealth meaning those things that make life better both materially and emotionally. 

4: Some are born happy, and some achieve happiness.  There are people who just seem happier than other people.  They're high on energy, low on anxiety.  They tend to be more successful in their careers, have better marriages, earn more money, and even enjoy better health.  It is possible to ratchet up one's happiness - it means attitude adjustment, working on relationships, finding "spiritual emotions" that connect one to a relaity beyond individual need and struggle.  So what are these spiritual emotions? Love, Gratitude, Awe, Transcendence, Forgiveness.

5: Happiness is seeking fulfillment.  Happiness is chased rather than captured.  Do what you are good at, you owe it to yourself and those around you.

I found this article very enlightening, at a very deep level.  I have always said that attitude is everything, that we chose how to react to events in our life.  Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?  I know that I have always been an optimist, seeing and seeking the good in others.  I am happy, are you???