believe

i took a class a few years ago called "psychology of happiness." while enrolled in that class, i learned about a positive correlation between religion and happiness. a study was done in the united states that found that people with the highest satisfaction levels in their lives actively practiced some form of religion.

religion, not spirituality. when i took this class, i was practicing spirituality. i had friends who shared similar beliefs to mine, but i never felt any sort of camaraderie within my own spirituality. my husband and i weren't even on the same page. i was all alone. when i started going back to church and allowing the spirit to speak to me, i realized that i have similar beliefs to lots of other people. suddenly i wasn't alone.

religion increases your happiness level in several ways.

first of all, a belief in something higher than yourself can give you hope. i know that if human intelligence was the highest form of life in the universe, i would give up right now because of how intellectually-challenged the general population seems to be. i couldn't bring myself to believe that this is as good as it gets. let's be honest, my faith in humanity just isn't that strong. believing in a religion though, encourages me that there is somebody out there who is going to serve justice where it is due. i know i rest easier knowing that those who have committed horrible injustices will one day receive the punishment they deserve.

another reason why religion rocks the happiness charts is because when you regularly attend church services you feel part of something collective, something greater than yourself. the feeling of being a part of something larger can make you feel happy. this group can replace or just add to your already existing family. i know that when i'm traveling, this can also take the place of the friendships i miss from home. this collective feeling can even go a step further as you develop real friendships with people who have the same beliefs as you.

religion helps you complete your identity. when you are part of a religion, it's much easier to explain your beliefs to people, because many people already have knowledge of what each religion believes, to an extent.  it helps you realize your own beliefs too, because oftentimes people never stop to think about what it is that they do believe.

i love religion. i feel like having it in my life has increased my happiness exponentially. if you don't already have a religion you practice, i suggest you go find one. it will make you feel happier to have a designated religion that matches your beliefs.

what do you think? what about your religion makes you feel happier? have you had a great experience with religion? i'd love to hear it.