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Have you ever heard of a survey for the happiest state? Hawaii is usually left out of a lot of surveys and somehow gets left out as a state quite often. We're only across the Pacific Ocean and spread out among islands. Geez. Well, we were not left out this time.....HAWAII is the SECOND HAPPIEST STATE. Utah came in First.
Well, after hearing this story on our local news two nights ago.... I was....PROUD.
We are the Aloha State (and now the second happiest lol) and our Aloha Spirit is infectious to say the least. We throw leis over the necks of incoming visitors, at birthday parties, celebrations and so forth with a hug and a kiss.
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I love hugs and everyone likes to get lei'd, no?
The survey was conducted by Gallup Organization and America's Health Insurance Plans. Does that mean it is a good survey? Who knows...polls and surveys cover only a certain percentage of our people.
The Well-Being Index is based on the World Health Organization definition of health as "not only the absence of weakness and disease, but also a state of physical, mental, and social well-being." (40+ questions were asked for an overall Composite metric based on six individual and interrelated Domains and Indices of Well Being: Life Evaluation, Emotional Health, Physical Health, Healthy Behavior, Work Environment, and Basic Access. Following are short breakdowns of each:
- The Basic Access Index (thirteen items measuring resident's access to food, shelter, and healthcare, and a safe and satisfying place to live): Satisfied with local area, Area getting better as a place to live, Clean water, Medicine, Safe place to exercise, Affordable fruits and vegetables, Feel safe walking alone at night, Enough money for food, shelter, healthcare, dentist recently, doctor & Have health insurance? WE GOT IT ALL!
Work Environment- Are you happy with the place that you are employed? Your co-workers, your job, your employer? I LOVE THE "FAMILY" I WORK WITH!- Emotional Health- Ones state of mind for any given situation and circumstance? Smiling/Laughter, treated with respect, happiness, Worry, Sadness, Anger, Stress, Learning/Doing something cool. Having a healthy mind and healthy self esteem....loving self from the inside out is the biggest contributor to SLEEPING WELL AT NIGHT!
- Physical Health/Healthy Behavior- Eating and Exercise Habits; outdoor activities? Uh....I am borderline for all of these. Smoking? I quit over two years ago, healthy diet....uh...not always...I love my sweets. OOPS.
- Life Evaluation Index combines present life situation with anticipated life situation 5 years from now. They asked Americans to evaluate their lives from 0 to 10, where "0" represents the worst possible life and "10" represents the best possible life. I HAVE A GOOD LIFE, I HAVE A GOOD WIFE....is what my husband recites to me often. I say, ME TOO.
These are areas we all (nationwide) have to work on and it's imperative that we do so in these ‘changing times'. No matter what's going on around us we make the best of what we do have....not gloat over what we do not have. That is the sheer essence of getting off our tushes and doing something about our current situations and any circumstance we come across. We learn, we grow and we sleep well at night.
Stay tuned........we all have a story to tell.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
with all the sun and sand and tropical breezes how could you not be the number 1 happiest state!!
Sis - That's wonderful! Utah got first? Hmmm, I wouldn't of predicted that one. Here's yet another reason to put those re-location shoes on and get down to Hawaii.
*soursop* is my graphic. Ironic, don't you think;)
I know it isn't California....we are fast becoming a state of "what could have been"
I love hugs and everyone likes to get lei'd, no?
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Yes I love HUG and love to give them and I am Happy when I think of HI :-)
Congrats !! and I think u should be #1 over Utah ...
woo hoo - we sure are happy here aren't we? I don't think I'd be so happy if I lived in Utah, unless I could go to Hawaii every winter!
June: Because they surveyed more people in Utah LOL!
Hey Lil Bro! No kidding...Come on down? Where's the honeymoon?
Karen: Click on the link above to see where you all stand. :)
Bob: I do too...but I bet Utah would beg to differ :) :) In my mind we ARE number one in a lot of things :)
Georgina: Hey there! I have been all over the world....and this is IT...:)
Sally - Utah beat Hawaii? Congrats on #2. Hawaii is the Avis of happy states!
Sally I have nothing against Utah, but I have been to both States and I could see myself being happier in Hawaii :)
Sally - that's great news with the new Poll ! A great way to make your buyers even happier !
I agree with George. Your report covers all the bases, too. I miss you over at my blog!
Tom: Yupp....happy happy!
George: Oh...I think I do too lol!
Christine: Oh yes...happy happy buyers :)
Jeff: Thanks Jeff...sorry been slacking...work took over some days :)
Very cool! I have to say (and I mean no disrespect to Utah) that I would personally be much happier in Hawaii! Have a great weekend my friend!
How could ANYONE pick Utah over Hawaii? Just LOOKING at your blog is a mini vacation!
I WILL GIVE THE #1 i HAVE BEEN TO BOTH AND YOU GUYS CLEARLY WIN.
Sally, for the simple reason that it's the only state where you can get lei'd, you should have come in first!! :)
It's my dream one day, to get lei'd there! LOL :)
Hi Sally - nice post! I just blogged about Montana being the 12th happiest state. You've got a great description about the study, I think I'll go back and add a link to your post as well.
One of these days I'd love to visit your beautiful state. Maybe you can be my guide for the area. :)
I would have thought Hawaii is #1 as well. Hmmm, maybe we should consider moving... ~Rita
Sally, I think that's great news--and certainly different from here I'd say. Unfortunately I know more people ON antidepressants then off! Sad, isn't it?
Sally I heard, not sure if it is true or not but that many folks come there and never leave. My who wouldn't be happy there, I heard it is just beautiful all the time. Your posts over the last few years of getting to know you have definately made my desire to go there increase.
Russell: Well, I would have to agree with you there my friend :)
Thanks Carol...I enjoy bringing some of us to all of you :)
Thanks Terry...I would have to vote for us too :)
Sylvie: I think you'll make it here just for that fact :)
Kevin/Monika: Thanks....I'll have to check yours out!
Carol: I'd love to be your guide! Come come come visit!
Rita: Well....at least a visit is in order :)
Carole: Awww...well, I think I was one of those over here when I was younger lol.
Missy: Let me tell you a true story. In 1997 a gentleman flew to Hawaii (the island of Hawaii ...the Volcano Island). He stayed there a couple of years and decided that he would fly to Oahu (Honolulu County...where I am) ....He met a wonderful gal in 2001. He married the gal in 2002 and they are living happily.
He came here and never left.....that's my husband Gary. :) :) I'm the lucky wonderful gal. :) :)
What a great place to call home. I love SC but if I was brave enough I would move there in a heart beat!
Woo Hoo ! I would be VERY HAPPY if I lived in beautiful Hawaii! It sure beats all the ice and snow in New Hampshire. Congratulations and stay happy!
AloHA Sally—It's about time people recognized Hawaii as not only a beautiful place, but a happy one as well! It's my home even if I don't live there right now, but I'm working on that - LOL! Can't wait to get lei'd...roflmao. Have a great weekend!
Hi Sally: let me see - being in Hawaii and not being happy - - - hmmmm . . . not possible!
:)
Ahh, how wonderful and not surprising, well a little surprising Hawaii in not number one, but still in the tops, that is terrific.
Sally- My 2 favorite places in the world are the HAPPY States! Utah and Hawaii! WOW! I was NOT surprised.
Hawaii also has the 3rd cleanest air in the WHOLE world! 1 is Antartica - heck, I will never live there! and #2 is Tazmania.
Hawaii is also the longest life place, I forgot the word you use, oh, longevity. Hawaii comes in #1 in longevity in the United States.
Hawaii has one of the top medical healing outcomes of all the states too. They send all the high up dignitaries to Hawaii and Hawaii is the first to use the surgery over the satelite. AMAZING, they say that the health care and healthy outcomes is not just that you have great doctors there but that they combine ancient Hawaiian medicine with modern medicine and that combo creates a healing environment unlike any other.
I am sure you can add a ton more to the list!
Oh, last but not least, SALLY lives there! That is one of the best things about Hawaii!
Sally - It is not hard to believe you would have such an honor, look what you have going for you; great sunshine, white sand , exotic fruits and flowers and many smiling faces, that would make me happy.
Sally- I am not sure I agree with Hawaii getting #2, but then again Utah has a lot of happy "appearing" people. Hmmm wonder what my 5 year mark will be? My last 5 year goal didn't quite happen the way I thought, but I do sleep well at night :)