Is there a Gene for Happiness?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and attend a presentation today by David Shenk, NY Times Bestselling author, who recently published a book entitled The Genius in All of Us. In his presentation, Shenk explained various aspects and myths concerning who we are and how much is determined by genetics. He discussed what is referred to as gene expression in which science has determined that genes are not the sole determining factor in our traits, but rather are a contributing factor.

Shenk went on to explain that those of us who progress in life to possess extraordinary abilities are the ones who push themselves to fail, to find their limits. And as such, it is those who view abilities as developed through a process who then do extraordinary things versus those who view traits as purely genetic luck become less ambitious and do less with their lives.

So how does this relate to functional happiness? It is in this conclusion that science tells us that there is no gene that makes us predisposed to be happy or unhappy because quite simply there is no gene all by itself that makes us anything. Genes influence traits along with environmental factors that occur during development. We can continue to develop for as long as we live, thus traits can be enhanced or diminished.

So if you’re not as happy as you want to be, look at your life, your choices and your perception (all things you can control) rather than blaming your genetics (which you have no control over).