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A comment on The Happiest People Don't Let Their Minds Wander, According to a Harvard Study. Parent comment

Re:The Happiest People Don't Let Their Minds Wander, Accordi... by exceptionfault on Saturday November 12, 2016 @09:12PM (#12941460)
In the military I was in a variety of life threatening situations (both forward deployed and in garrison), and I was quite happy. The most interesting realization came when in water training, where there were times I honestly felt like I was in mortal danger. I was ok with it and still enjoyed life. Eh, maybe I'm a weird one though, I always found humor in it.
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Re:The Happiest People Don't Let Their Minds Wander, Accordi... by BoorishBears on Saturday November 12, 2016 @10:06PM (#12941613)
I'm not saying people can't find happiness in those situations (in fact civilians in those situations are often amazingly upbeat all things considered).

I just mean the bit about external factors almost implies external factors barely affect happiness is silly, external factors are also a large part of happiness.

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Re:The Happiest People Don't Let Their Minds Wander, Accordi... by natec425 on Saturday November 12, 2016 @11:16PM (#12941828)
I don't think they are saying external factors don't/can't affect happiness. I think they are saying that manipulating external factors is an inferior strategy for improving happiness.
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