Last summer researchers at Harvard University and the University of British Columbia released a paper that declared the five happiest cities in the U.S. all happen to be located in one state: Louisiana, which also was ranked as the happiest state. Topping the list were Lafayette, Houma, Shreveport-Bossier City, Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Lake Charles was ranked No. 8.
“I am happy we were on the top of that list, but it got me to thinking about what makes people happy,” Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister writes in his latest column. “Is it love, family, God, health, food, travel, art, sports, politics, hunting, money, power or success?”
A new year always provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year, but McCollister says it also should be a time to look ahead and set goals.
“Plan time for what is most important in your life,” he suggests. “Have no regrets.”
McCollister points to the results of a survey conducted with 50 people over the age of 95 who were asked what they would do differently if they had life to live over again.
“The consensus was: They would risk more. They would reflect more. They would do more things that would live on after they were gone,” McCollister writes. “Great advice—and we got it long before our 95th birthdays. We are so fortunate to live in the greatest country on earth, with so many opportunities to pursue happiness, and I am grateful. May your 2015 be a ‘Happy New Year.’”
Read the full column, in which McCollister also touches on a new jobs milestone in reach for Louisiana in the new year, as well as national exposure our state is receiving for seeing more major motion pictures shot here than in any other state last year. Send your comments to editors@busienssreport.com.
