CCC 28-1

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS? Look to Your Relationships

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Sharon May, Ph.D.

Happiness is Found in Connection Dr. Robert Waldinger, the Director of the Harvard Study on Adult Devel opment, one of the longest-running studies on happiness and health, reached a striking conclusion: “Good and healthy relationships keep us hap pier and healthier.” 1 Participants who reported strong, supportive bonds in midlife lived longer, experienced less

We live in a culture obsessed with the pursuit of happiness. Walk into any bookstore, and you will find shelves lined with titles promising the secret to a more joyful and fulfilling life. Yet, despite all the advice and self-help strategies, many people still describe themselves as anxious, lonely, or dissatisfied. So, what really makes people happy? Increasingly, research points to a clear answer—it is not wealth, status, or achievement, but rather the quality of our relationships. As counselors, pastors, and coaches, this is good news. It reminds us that our work is not only about helping people cope with stress or change bad behaviors; it is about assisting them in fostering the kinds of rela tionships that bring love, joy, and meaning to life.

26 Christian Counseling Connection