Happiness is a loaded term these days.

It seems to be the goal of many people but what does it mean? Is it a day by day proposition? Or is it a more long term sense of one's existence, in the same way that climate is different to daily weather? Is it the 'be all and end all'? Or is there more to life?

These new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics can be used to start a discussion about just such topics. The full report is available here and actually gives more insight into the question and results. There's additional material in there about everything from volunteering and the difference it makes, to other important stuff like mental health and homelessness

Have a look. This could be great for use in sermons or as small group discussion starter material.