Stumbling on Happiness

by Daniel Todd Gilbert

Apparently, gaining control can have a positive impact on one’s health and well-being, but losing control can be worse than never having had any at all.

clinically depressed,48 who tend to estimate accurately the degree to which they can control events in most situations.49 These and other findings have led some researchers to conclude that the feeling of control—whether real or illusory—is one of the wellsprings of mental health.

We cannot feel good about an imaginary future when we are busy feeling bad about an actual present.

we are more likely to look for and find a positive view of the things we’re stuck with than of the things we’re not.

It is only when we cannot change the experience that we look for ways to change our view of the experience,

MOST OF US MAKE at least three important decisions in our lives: where to live, what to do, and with whom to do