Like Robert Green Ingersoll, I believe everyone should be
helped to get what happiness she can out of life, that all happiness that
breaks through the clouds of misfortune should be enjoyed and that no one
should fail to pick up every jewel of joy that can be found in her path. This
requires that we all get what good we can of the truly dramatic, of music, art
and enjoyment. Everyone should be encouraged to enjoy liberty of mind as well
as body, which entails finding out the conditions of happiness and having the
wisdom to live in accordance with those conditions.
Most Americans are not getting such help. There are many
institutions, governmental and otherwise, that could help, if the goal of added
happiness were properly recognized as a priority foundation of good health.
Worksite wellness programming might not be the most promising vehicle for
advancing happiness, but it is the one area where wellness promoters have the best
chance to make an impact. Added happiness must become a goal of worksite
wellness; nothing else seems as likely to enrich employee satisfaction while
boosting performance and productivity. Happy New Year
Wallpapers 2020
Common Sense
In addition to a goal of increasing employee happiness,
another should be promoting common sense. Naturally, nearly everyone thinks she
already has common sense, so strategically this educational objective must be
billed and promoted under another banner. I'd recommend critical thinking, save
for a similar problem as with the term common sense-most people believe they
already think critically. Alas, there is strong evidence that is definitely not
the case.
Do you doubt it? Consider the reality that Americans are
besotted with nonsensical beliefs. Large numbers of adults allowed to handle
sharp objects and operate heavy machinery believe in the literal nature of ESP.
They also believe in psychic and other forms of paranormal phenomena. There's
more. Many believe in UFO sightings, ghosts, miracles, witchcraft, devil
possessions and exorcisms, crackpot alternative medicines (e.g., homeopathy and
therapeutic, non-contact hand-waving over a patient as a serious treatment
modality) and, of course, the literal truth of preposterous bible and other
holy book tales. These have been passed down by word of mouth from around the
time of the Bronze Age. It all stupifies and boggifies the skeptical, critical
and reason-based mind.
Marty Kaplan recently published a piece that began as
follows: "If you think the widening chasm between the rich and the rest
spells trouble for American democracy, have a look at the growing gulf between
the information-rich and-poor." (See Marty Kaplan, You Will Be Shocked at
How Ignorant Americans Are, Alternet, November 6, 2013.)
Worksite Wellness
Well, I wasn't shocked at all. The evidence that vast
numbers of workers could benefit from common sense education, artfully promoted
and ever so delicately presented at worksites the land over, has been building
for years. The Kaplan article is only the latest instance wherein persuasive
data are brought to bear in support of the obvious-that common sense training
is desperately needed in schools, clubs and company worksite wellness
programming.
A new Pew study revealed that fully one quarter of American
adults watch only Fox News. Furthermore, a majority of citizens watch no news
at all-leading the author of the report to conclude that, as far as knowledge
of current events is concerned, most may as well be living on the moon.
If Fox viewers were to depart for the moon, the average
common sense score of those left behind would increase dramatically. Since such
a migration is unlikely, initiatives of a practical wellness nature should be
considered. Therefore, I recommend a new focus at the worksite consisting of
practical lessons on effective thinking. Boosting this skill will surely add to
happiness and common sense.
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