88% of our happiness is determined by two factors: events that occurred in our recent past (40%) and genetics (48%). That leaves around 12% left to our day-by-day control, which can be used to pursue four basic things: faith, family, community, and work. How can we be content when we only 12% of our lives left up to our control?

Looking at an article by John Piper on Desiring God – How Much of My Happiness Is Settled by Factors Outside My Immediate Control?