Rising above chromosomes and circumstances begins with understanding happiness.

Let’s say that happiness resembles an apple pie, the flavor of that pie would depend on the following three slices:

50% of the pie’s happiness depends on our genetic set point. Studies of twins and adoptees show that 50% of our happiness/unhappiness response can be explained by the way Mother Nature mixes the chromosomes we inherit from our parents. An upward swing in happiness eventually falls back to our happiness baseline. Likewise, a mind-messing downswing will gradually return to our genetic set point for happiness

10% of the pie’s happiness comes from life circumstances. Our income, marriage, children, occupation, physical health and where we live contributes 10% to our overall chance to experience happiness.

40% of the pie’s flavor develops from learned emotional and behavioral factors. How we act and how we respond to circumstances contributes 40% of our overall chance to experience happiness.

Intentional activity—mental and behavior changes to rise above our chromosomes and circumstances—can elevate our set point for happiness.

This finding is good news: those that cultivate certain habits can learn to live a happy, contented life no matter what circumstances occur.

Let’s consider Holocaust survivors who learned that the most trivial incidents could enable them to endure unthinkable atrocities.

Free from the horror, they had learned that being unhappy about trifling situations insults human dignity.

After living through any tragic event, survivors appreciate those values that make life worth living—love, friendship, a spiritual relationship with God and an abiding appreciation for finding pleasure in the common hour.

Those that develop a plan for living a happy life accept certain truths that argue against pop culture happiness:

• Material possessions may interfere with our getting that which is best for us.
• Not everything that makes us feel better is good for us.
• Not everything that hurts is bad for us.
• The idea that life must always be fair, easy and stress free engenders frustration, despair and all sorts of addictions.
• The work of gathering and heaping interferes with a contented life.
• Virtuous choices—choices that leave us with no regrets—allow us to put aside things we want that may interfere with obtaining things of lasting value.
• Delaying gratification almost always provides worthwhile pleasures.

These techniques help us find ourselves rising above chromosomes and circumstances.