Alec Hogg: It’s much more fun being happy

By Alec Hogg

This has been my week for Americans, most of them having their first visit to this country. They all marvelling at SA’s beauty and abundant business opportunities. Quite different to the standard local fare of complaints where the media thrives on bad news and dinner parties are full of depressing stories.

Last night at the local resident’s association meeting they talked the negative so well, that we all voted to increase annual membership from R300 to R2 000 – so the committee could be provided the resources to “get things done”.

All this got me recalling why we pay so much attention to the negative. It comes from Stone Age bodies that have not evolved beyond the time when it was life saving to know this stuff – be it a lion stalking; an enemy on the prowl, etc. Scientists say we still pay ten times as much attention to bad news than good. We’re just hard-wired that way. But knowing this makes it possible to start re-wiring. Life’s so much more fun when you’re happy.

From Biznews community member Wenzile Mthiyane

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