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86 Finn: Well that’s sounds good and I’m feeling a lot happier already, thank you, Rob! Rob: So Finn, what other things make you feel happy? Finn: The finer things in life – good food, fine wine, things like that. And you Rob? Rob: For me, it’s got to be … everything! Nothing worries me and I always look for the positive things even in a bad situation. You could say I’m happy-go-lucky! And to keep you happy, let’s see if you know the answer to today’s question. The World Happiness Database has ranked countries in order of how happy their people are – or to be more precise – their “satisfaction with life”. Do you know which country came top of the list? Was it: a) Finland b) Canada c) Costa Rica Finn: I think Finland has a high quality of life but let’s say the happiest nation is Canada. Rob: Canada, ok. We’ll find out if you are right at the end of the programme. So, let’s talk more about happiness. There’s been some good news from Holland – that’s where the World Happiness Database is – at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Finn: It’s been collecting the results of studies about happiness from all over the world. Rob: And now all that information has been put together to produce some interesting results. Finn: Surely, Rob, happiness is a state of mind – so different things make different people content – or happy – depending on their mood or situation at the time? Rob: Yes, but this research has found some factors that we all share when we are searching for happiness. It also found what made people unhappy. Finn: So, maybe things like not having enough money or not going on holiday? Rob: Nothing like that, not materialistic values. Unhappy people are more aware of their life goals – things they want to achieve because they want to change their life for the better. Does that sound like you Finn? Finn: Not me Rob. I lead such a hectic – or busy – life that I don’t always get time to think about the future!