When we think of friends and friendship, Marcel Proust comes to mind. It was he who said, “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Now science is linking happiness with friendship and religion. This week-end The Daily Report cited a study from the American Sociological Review pointing out the importance of one’s circle of friends even among church-goers.
Chaeyoon Lim, lead author of the study worked in collaboration with Robert Putnam, author of “Bowling Alone” and “American Grace.” Lim noted that friends in religious congregations provide a sense of belonging which consequently gives a feeling of acceptance and happiness. They noted:
“Our findings suggest that religious people are more satisfied with their lives because they regularly attend religious services and build social networks in their congregations.” Religion, Social Networks, and Life Satisfaction
“Unlike previous studies, this latest study on the connection between religion and happiness does not consider prayer, holding religious services in your residence, and strength of faith as factors in the satisfaction and happiness of religious people.” Religion, Friendship Shown To Make People Happier, Study Shows
Earlier he and Putnam published a paper for the Legatum Institute called: “Praying Alone Is No Fun: Religion, Social Networks, and Subjective Well-being.” The website describes the Legatum Institute “as independent, non-partisan organization that researches and advocates for an expansive understanding of global prosperity.”
Friendship is in the genes
Last year a report from Reuters revealed that there is a "genetic tendency to introduce your friends to each other," and they talked with Nicholas Christakis of Harvard University in Massachusetts, who helped conduct the study.
"We find that how interconnected your friends are depends on your genes. Some people have four friends who know each other and some people have four friends who don't know each other. Whether Dick and Harry know each other depends on Tom's genes," he said in a telephone interview.
"Christakis and colleague James Fowler of the University of California San Diego are best known for their studies that show obesity, smoking and happiness spread in networks. Genes
Friendship and happiness
Friends play a role in just how happy and well balanced we become. Additionally happiness is contagious in the social network. The article presented here tells us that
• Happiness spreads more reliably than unhappiness in a network
• You are 15 percent more likely to be happy if your direct connection is happy
• People who smile on Facebook are generally friends with other ‘smilers.’ Here is the full story. Catching Happiness
What is a friend?
Putting aside the research for a moment, let's take a brief look at "What is a friend?" In June or 2008, after spending the day listening to tributes to the late journalist Tim Russert, I realized that I was listening to definitions friendship.
Friendships are protective. Friends help you to stay balanced, will help you laugh at yourself, and help you to value the forgiveness factor.
As Wilma Askinas, author of “A Splice of Life” once said, “A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view.”
Copyright 2011 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved
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