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Sarah Arnguist's"What Makes Us Happy"(The New York Times, The New Old Age Blog, Jun. 30, 1009) is a very good article because it tells us very useful information on how to live a happy life.

Happiness -- On the Right Way

Happiness tells one that he or she is in the right direction to the goal of human life – propagation of offspring. (Re #1)

It said that "... good health, stalwart friends and financial security are the best predictors of happiness" actually means health, friends, and necessities are indispensable for our life goal.

Friends are indispensable symbiotic members in 10,000 years ago. This instinct still works because it is our ancestors' successful experiences saved on DNA. (Re #1)

Happiness -- Only Directionally

It is right that "...levels of happiness areroughly constantacross age groups, ... vary little with gender or race...." because happiness is onlydirectionallyandqualitativelya step better towards life goalwithout much quantitative sense. It is just something like a green traffic light. (Re #1)

Happiness vs. Health

It is correct that "... good health contributes to one's contentment... the reverse is also true ... happiness leads to good health," because good health can give enough energy to maintain right direction to propagation of offspring and happiness canencourageoneself to go further to the life goal. (Re #1, 4)

Adaptation

Of course, it is that "... the ability to adapt to changing lifecircumstancesalso influence happiness ... avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are linked to illness and earlier death." This is because ofsurvival of the fittest. If one can adapt to the new conditions then, naturally, he or she can be in a better position towards the life goal of propagation of offspring – the definition of happiness. (Re #1-4)

Conclusion

The definition of happiness explains many things of everyday life clearly and simply here.

References:#1. W. Ying,articlesbasee.com, "Happy Life, Instincts, Wisdom, and Human Computer System." #2.ibid, "Valid Happiness, Instinct and Wisdom." #3.ibid, " Competing Instinct-Blindly or Instinct-Wisely?" #4.ibid, "Happy Life, Depression and Suicide Are Managed by Instinct plus Wisdom."

On "what Makes Us Happy"