Last week, there was a little sparkle in the paper. Nestled between dour pieces about the weak economy and more lay-offs was an article exploring the positive effects of happy people. A study following over 4700 people over a period of twenty years concluded: “happy people tend to have happy friends, and it’s contagious.”

When I read this little snippet, I felt a surge of victory and was almost inspired to drop to one knee and draw a clenched fist towards my heart: “Yes!” (That is the football gesture; fans of Celine Dion could substitute a chest-thumping.) Happy people win! We are the champions, my friends!

The Company We Keep, Keeps Us Smiling

The aforementioned article confirmed what I’ve believed for many years: our lives are affected by the company we keep. Although we might like to think of ourselves as islands – in control of our emotions and decisions in life – we can’t deny the powerful influence of good friends. Everyone can recall a time when a funny email or text message from a buddy alleviated a sluggish or pessimistic mood. I have a few friends with seemingly magic energy; simply spending time with them brightens my day. It makes sense – surrounding oneself with people who see the sunnier side of life can inspire feelings of hope and contentment.

Exception To The Rule: The Office

Interestingly enough, the article mentioned the exception to this study was the workplace. Hmmmm. Why am I not surprised? Content people had little to no influence on grumpy folks in the work place – their dissatisfaction with work circumstances overrode any surplus of cheer. Can you recognize anyone from your life in this scenario? That cube-mate who interprets a co-worker’s success as a slight on their talent? Negative Nelly at the water cooler who complains about everything, from post-its to policies?

Share Your Happiness

Most inspiring to me is the idea that the contagion of happiness was more powerful than unhappiness. While most of us probably encounter toxic people in our lives, the study showed their influence is not as powerful: “while unhappiness can also spread from person, to person, the ‘infectiousness’ of that emotion appears to be far weaker.’” So, while these people may affect us, the long term effects are not as potent as those friends inspiring happiness.

Unhappiness, we sunk your battleship. For those of you spreading joy like flu bug, keep on. Let your glow illuminate others. Share your joy with those around you.

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