Focus more on joy

The Gallup World Poll recently released its latest rankings of the happiest countries, based on survey data collected from 2022 to 2024, and Finland landed in the No. 1 spot for the ninth year in a row. One definitely has to wonder what it is about the Finns that causes many of them to enjoy their lives so much. The findings indicate that they have strong trust in their communities and that their work culture is less hectic. Finland's bordering neighbors, Sweden and Norway, are also very blissful, ranking fifth and sixth, respectively. The U.S., not even close to making the top 10, came in at 23rd. It is important to note that, of the 147 countries surveyed, each nation had a sample size of at least 1,000 respondents. Finland's population is close to 5.65 million, so 1,000 people are not a majority for this northern European nation. Gallup collaborates with the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the World Happiness Report Editorial Board, and researchers acknowledged six indicators for assessing a nation's individual contentment: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Age was also a significant factor: Finns over 40 tended not to have heavy social media use and enjoyed more longstanding friendships and family relationships. Younger Americans surveyed showed "declines" in well-being, which is noteworthy and helps explain why Americans continue to rank behind Nordics in taking delight in their lives. Americans also reported higher levels of stress, financial anxiety and loneliness. It is a well-known fact that many of us work extremely long hours and have very little leisure time compared to other wealthy nations. We have a "grind culture" that entices us to chase after success, status and material possessions. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be successful, but we have to ask ourselves what purpose drives our desire to achieve, and will this purpose bring us authentic gratification? In asking this question, I am reminded of some of the things my students have shared with me over the years when we have discussed our "Gen Z and the Workplace" theme. Some students mentioned that their parents' long work hours prevented them from spending quality time at home and that their parents often struggled to make ends meet. Lack of family time was also an issue for some students who came from financially stable households. The consensus from these discussions was that my students were determined not to let work consume their lives and that maintaining their important connections with their friends and family was essential to their well-being and happiness. My views on happiness have changed considerably as I've gotten older, mainly as I've sought to deepen my faith in God. When I wrote about the GWP findings two years ago, I emphasized that we need to focus more on joy because, honestly, happiness is steeped in transitory emotions. I need the joy that comes from being connected to Christ, as mentioned in John 15. In this chapter, Christ refers to Himself as the "true vine," and God, the Father, is "the husbandman," or gardener. Christ instructs His disciples to abide in Him so that they will be fruitful in life -- that is, living victoriously by trusting in the promises of God. Jesus follows this up with a statement of great assurance in verse 11: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The Greek translation of joy in this verse is "cheerfulness that is calm." For many of the issues listed in the GWP survey that are troubling Americans -- economic strain, isolation, mental health struggles -- happiness is often shattered. Fullness of joy is needed to overcome the weight of these challenges and setbacks. It is this exceeding gladness that extends beyond happiness. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com.