Do I like myself?- Yeah
Do I feel like I have personal control?- Sure do
Am I optimistic?- Sometimes
Am I extroverted?- Half and half
(Myers, Diener. 1995)

Am I Happy?- Judging from the above, I have the potential to be moderately happy!

What else does David Myers say? In Yes! Magazine (2004), Myers also shows that research indicates that people also feel the "need to belong", have a sense of "connection, meaning, and deep hope", the positive traits mentioned above (ie: personal control, optimism), and when people move with a sense of "flow"...

Upon reflection (and perhaps this reflection will make me happier see left column) I realize that indeed I do feel as if I belong. I have a family, a loving boyfriend, and a school group, that although dysfunctional, still exudes a sense of comradery. I certainly find a sense of connection within my family, my son and my younger brother are two people that I know that I can count on for deep love and devotion. I have a deep hope for the future and for myself, that I can use my positive traits and continuous growth to my advantage to ensure security or at least hope enough until I find that security.

Flow? -"Flow theorist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi found people reporting their greatest enjoyment not when mindlessly passive, but when unself-consciously absorbed in a mindful challenge. Most people are happier gardening than power-boating, and talking to friends than watching TV." (Also in the Yes! article- Myers, D. 2004. The secret to happiness.)

I certainly have this last one!! This is my favorite part of the whole "being happy" thing. My counselor and I had a descussion about how my favorite part of me is the intellectually engaged, mentally challenged, no drama part of me. When I can think outside myself and just be a part of a good conversation or debate- there is where I feel like I fit the most.