There is a Web site called the “World Database of Happiness.” It combines and analyzes the results of hundreds of surveys from around the world that have been conducted on life satisfaction. Most of the findings are predictable, but a few are surprising. 

    The database makes it clear that there is not a strong connection between material wealth and general contentment. It is a cliché to say that money can’t buy happiness, but the old saying seems to be supported by research. Many people still cling to the belief that gaining riches will be the answer to all their problems, yet they are probably mistaken. 

    Studies have been carried out on people who acquired sudden wealth, such as lottery winners. In most cases, after the initial joy had worn off, people were not left with a sense of lasting happiness. In fact, they tended to revert to the way they felt before they became rich. Previously contented people continue to be contented, while those who were miserable before sink back into misery.  

    If material wealth does not bring happiness, then what does? Perhaps happiness has something to do with where you live. The authorities at the World Database on Happiness have surveyed levels of happiness in different countries. Apparently, people in America, Canada, and Singapore are very happy; people living in India and Russia, not surprisingly, are not happy. 

    Other surveys consistently point to the importance of relationships. Family relationships in particular seem to be the key to long-term contentment. The Web site suggests that falling in love and having children are two of the situations that bring the greatest happiness.  

    Nowadays people look to technology as an alternative source of satisfaction. People increasingly spend more time alone watching TV or surfing the Internet rather than spending time with family. Can technology truly make people happy? It is too difficult to tell, but one thing is sure: If the Web site’s research is accurate, time spent with your family is a better investment than time spent making money. 

    有一個網站叫 “世界幸福數據庫”。它綜合并分析了來自世界各地對生活滿意度所做的上百個調查得出的結果。大多數結果都在意料之中，不過也有一些意外。

    這個數據庫表明物質生活的富裕和整體的滿意度并沒有太大的聯系。雖然 “金錢買不到幸福”已是陳詞，但研究結果似乎證實這句俗話。許多人仍然堅信得到財富就可以解決他們所有的問題，但他們可能錯了。

    研究一夕致富的人，比如贏得彩票獎金的人，在大多數情形下，最初的欣喜逐漸消失后，人們心中并沒有留下持久幸福的感覺。事實上，他們往往又回到致富前的心理狀態。過去滿足的人仍然很滿足，而那些在過去郁郁寡歡的人則又重拾悲傷。

    如果物質生活的富裕無法帶來快樂，那么到底什么才能使人快樂呢？也許快樂和你居住的地方有關。 “世界幸福數據庫”的專家調查了不同國家的快樂程度。顯而易見，美國，加拿大和新加坡的人非常快樂，而住在印度和俄羅斯的人，毫不意外地并不快樂。

    其它調查結果一致指出各種人際關系的重要性。尤其家庭關系似乎是令人能長久感到滿足的關鍵。這個網站指出墜入情網和生兒育女是給人們帶來最大幸福的兩大源泉。

    現在人們指望科技能成為滿足感的另一個來源。人們把越來越多的時間花在一個人看電視或上網，而并非與家人共聚。科技真的能使人幸福嗎？這很難說，但有一件事是可以確定的：如果這個網站的研究結果精確，和賺錢花的時間相比，與家人共度的時光是更好的投資。