Dr. Amit Sood, a physician and neuroscientist, often talks about how the brain is wired for survival, not happiness. My NYU college students always seem very relieved to hear this.

Our brain’s default mode is to scan for threats, anticipate problems, and dwell on the negative because, from an evolutionary perspective, this kept us alive.

Happiness, on the other hand, is not automatic.

It requires intentional effort to train our brains to focus on joy, gratitude, and meaning rather than just threats and worries.

It’s not us!  We’re not born this way — we’re born THAT way. Our default isn’t unhappiness.  But we can train the brain for it.

Go ahead and pass it along if you wish.