One of the greatest things about having Amazon tv
or Netflix (besides the Law & Order: SVU
, House of Cards
, and Breaking Bad 
binges) is the incredible array of documentaries to discover. From the exposure of the dangerous chemicals the food industry adds to our products, to paleontology about dinosaurs and mummies, streaming entertainment is by far the best source for discovering incredible documentaries.
One film that we think everyone must see, is simply titled “Happy
.” It examines the actual origins of happiness and how some of the most simple (and often financially poor) cultures are happier than the average American. The film delves into the lives of a poor rickshaw driver, a surfer, a beautiful woman who suffered a tragic accident, a congregate of elderly Japanese women, and a French family in Louisiana, amongst others. The film also sheds light on the over-worked culture of developed nations such as Japan, that regularly leads to early deaths among Japanese men, a phenomenon known as “karoshi.
“
In the developed world we spend a lot of time focusing on money, buying bigger homes and fancier cars. We equate having all these things to “success” and happiness, even though science and statistics show that these things are not the true source of happiness. We rely on pharmaceuticals to counter depression and often stress ourselves to extremes in pursuit of material items that do not actually make us happy. Of course, it’s wonderful to accomplish goals, but not at the cost of happiness and health. Balance of the body and mind is an essential part of happiness that is unfortunately often ignored.
Happy will change your perspective. It’s truly an incredible reminder of what really matters in life. Best of all, the documentary explores what actually makes us happy and how we can achieve happiness regardless of our bank account balances. Watch it. You may see the world and yourself a little differently.
