114-117).

114-117). Religion can show us the way in a world in which bad things happen. It can teach us that much of what we see is so complex that we cannot understand why and how it occurred. Everywhere in our world, there is mystery. Everywhere there are questions. Religion offers answers. Religion offers consistency. Religion offers hope.

(Niven, 2000) A research on the effect of religion on life satisfaction found that, regardless of what religion people affiliated themselves with, those who had strongly held spiritual beliefs were typically satisfied with life, while those who had no spiritual beliefs typically were unsatisfied. (Gerwood, LaBlanc, and piazza 1998; cited in Niven, 2000) 3-3.

Resilience and hardiness The capacity to maintain or restore well- being in the face of adversity is referred to by psychologists as resilience, or hardiness. The evidence confirms that resilient individuals are usually happier than those who are more easily cast down by life's inevitable upsets; individuals to have supportive personal relationships, persistence, motivation, an ability to plan a head, and practical knowledge (Martin, 2006, P.57).

That there are many problems in the world is obvious to anyone, but take comfort in the notion the eventually good prevails. Whether your focus is on the criminal justice system or a spiritual system, realize that those who have wronged the world will eventually pay some price (Niven, 2000).

Regardless of the experiences subjects personally dealt with, whether they had personally been the victim of a crime or known someone close who had, those who believed the world ultimately report just a 1 13 percent higher level of life satisfaction (Lipkus, Dalbert, & Siegler, 1996; cited in Niven, 2000). Think of the happy times you, your family, and friends have had together. Recalling happiness of the past has the powerful ability to bring us happiness in the present.

(Niven, 2000) When people consciously choose to think back on their past, over 80 percent tend to focus on very positive memories. (Hogstel and Curry 1995; cited in Niven, 2000) 3-4. having long- term goals According to researches, individuals whose daily efforts relate directly to achieving their longer- term goals tend to be happier than those whose strivings are unrelated to their goals (Martin, 2006, P. 56).

A life that is meaningful and has some purpose to it is more likely to be a happy life. Someone who knows where he wants to go, and why, will probably be happier.