Are we genetically predisposed to happiness? Is our happiness partially or even fully generated by our ancestry and streamlined based on our family, friends and our individually unique exposure to the universe?
Happiness is a complex yet simplistic concept and is an accumulation of various factors that can contribute to its outcome. A study- Roysamb et al.2018. suggests that well-being and life satisfaction - closely connected to happiness is between 30-40% hereditary.

The study which involved extensive analysis on more than 30,000 pairs of twins suggests that inheritance significantly effects happiness. It found that various twins raised in comparably different family and environmental dynamics maintained a somewhat consistent level of happiness compared to their twin.

Despite the conclusions this study has presented and the significantly solid case it has produced, in which the outcome of our happiness is considerably grounded by our lineage and the genetic code that has been passed down to us through generations, our happiness is not a fixed state of mind. Our happiness is not set in stone. Our happiness is open to whatever perception, value, and direction we choose.

It's interesting because it's the first time I've truly pondered the thought of someone else being directly involved in the output of our happiness.

Is our happiness, or lack of happiness, a contributing factor in the happiness of our children or our grandchildren? Or vice versa? Does the life we choose to live, the feelings, emotions, directions, values, and conscious development in our search for happiness actually have a direct impact through our genetics on those after us or from those before?

I think the study is a wonderful insight into the human psyche and the depth of potential influence those before us, have on us, or the influence we have on those after us. It has profound relevance to all of us, and it has made me look, learn, and search for a deeper meaning of connection to our family and the significant impact on the life we choose to live, and how that can potentially directly contribute to people in our lineage who will never know who we were, are, or will be.

Thanks,

Dean