Hungry to Read The Hunger Games

In a recent conversation about books, a friend mentioned that I should not read The Hunger Games because it was about 20 plus kids killing each other for entertianment. Interesting, I thought, but when someone tells me not to read something, the first thing I do is order the books. I am so glad I did because there were a couple lessons that surfaced from reading these books.

The first lesson was that unlike the citizens of the Capitol, who exploited the districts of Panem and kept these societies in wretched poverty, the most compassinate characters were the ones who were triumphant. The victory went to Peeta and Katniss, the main characters, who had compassion, empathy, and cooperation as fundamental components of their personalities. Those who used brute force and violent skills were easily defeated.

The most powerful take away for me, however, was that no matter how much we want to believe we are independent and can do everything on our own; social connection, community, is where happiness and well-being is found. Over 50 years of happiness research confirms that the quality and quantity of a person's social connections has a strong correlation to their well-being and personal happiness. When individuals have great connections in their lives like strong familial relationships, well-built friendships, and neighbors they care about, time after time, research has shown that they are much happier and healthier than those individuals who do not have the same connections in life.

So I learned, just like Katniss who was tough and resourceful throughout the trials and tribulations of the Hunger Games, in the end, it was her compassion and ability to connect with others that saved her life. Therefore, to be happy and healthy, make sure that you have plenty of friends and are part of a fun community. One such community, in Scottsdale, is Fit City Scottsdale. Take a look around while you are here, and see what connections you can make that might help with your happiness and well-being. Become a member today...be part of this community movement.