The Happy Planet Index measures human well-being and environmental impact. It starts from the idea that most of us want to live long and fulfilling lives and tries to measure how successfully this can be done without infringing on the rights of people in other places and in future generations to do the same.
The index, very basically, is an equation: life expectancy x life satisfaction ÷ ecological footprint = HPI. Is it possible to measure that sort of happiness?
GNH, Gross National Happiness, could be one answer. The name comes from Bhutan, where then King Jingme told a reporter, "In Bhutan, we don't just care about gross national product, we care about gross national happiness."
In the book of Isaiah, God declares, "In those days people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the LORD, and their children, too, will be blessed." (Isaiah 65)
Maybe, this time of global enconomic reset, it's also time for all nations to ask themselves the true meaning of prosperity, development, happiness and contentment. And Christians should join in the debate.
Have a vigorous "happiness" discussion with your friends over your next coffee break and ask them to do the Happy Planet Index online survey.
No comments:
Post a Comment