Once upon a time you were born; and as your life began, so did your personal pursuit for happiness. Even as children, we pursued things that aided in us feeling good. Over time, the things that made us feel good changed. We set goals in hopes of attaining something more as we strive for success; and part of that motivation is the hope of ultimately conjuring another feeling of some type of satisfaction. At some point we need more than passing feel good moments. With that realization we begin to search more for a feeling that is not so fleeting, but rather more a constant feeling of contentment or joy. It almost seems as though it is part of human nature to naturally pursue that which makes us feel good. It is even hard to accept that the things that make us feel good immediately do not always bring us happiness.
Each day we search for a mental state of delight, satisfaction, contentment, joy, bliss, good fortune, pleasure and peace.[1][3] Daily we pursue happiness, and our U.S. Constitution gives us the right to do so. I will admit to wanting my own life story to include that I lived happily ever after, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not alone in this want. I use the phrase 'happily ever after', because it is something many of us grew up hearing from books and movies. Living happily ever after is so appealing to me because the thought implies that happiness comes easily for the rest of that person’s days. Is it possible that knowing what happiness is, and different methods of how to feel it, will help it be felt effortlessly? Benjamin Franklin said “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
Each day we search for a mental state of delight, satisfaction, contentment, joy, bliss, good fortune, pleasure and peace.[1][3] Daily we pursue happiness, and our U.S. Constitution gives us the right to do so. I will admit to wanting my own life story to include that I lived happily ever after, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not alone in this want. I use the phrase 'happily ever after', because it is something many of us grew up hearing from books and movies. Living happily ever after is so appealing to me because the thought implies that happiness comes easily for the rest of that person’s days. Is it possible that knowing what happiness is, and different methods of how to feel it, will help it be felt effortlessly? Benjamin Franklin said “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
What is true happiness? If happiness is a subjective state of well-being, then does it really mean that everyone has their own notion of what it includes? [4] Whatever it is, and wherever it comes from, it must feel fantastic; and exploring what that means individually can be very fun. We know that it is more than something that is just fun or just feels good. Over the past few years I have pondered seriously over what it means to be happy. After many night long debates with friends, family and strangers, I concluded that most of us are in search of it, but few of us understand what it is. Many of us think that when we feel it, we can recognize it. Happiness, with all its biological underpinnings, its many layers, and intensities, clearly is more complex than simply feeling good. [3][4]
This is such a universally human search that there is more information on it than one person could handle. If there is so much research, why is it so difficult for so many to explain? Why is it that sometimes it is so difficult to feel? Happiness can be defined as emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy, that are experienced when in a mental state of well being; but this is only one definition. [2] There have been many different fields of research on this topic: biology, psychology, philosophy, religion, happiness economics, as well as other studies that have attempted to identify and define what it really is. [3] It is clear that it is more than a feeling. Will Wilkinson, of the CATO Institute, says “We don’t necessarily value episodes with more total pleasure over episodes with less”. [4] Happiness is much deeper than the superficial moments of feeling pleasure. Some of the greatest minds have dived into this topic. Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert says that what a persons think will bring him or her happiness is frequently wrong; and our psychological immune system can cause happy feelings, even when things go wrong in life.[5]
[5]
My purpose in this blog is to attempt to research and explore what true happiness is, and report back. Is it really attainable for everyone? Can any person become truly happy? I will attempt to summarize different takes on happiness, and some will include the above mentioned fields of research. I will research philosophers, psychologists, motivational speakers, experts in the fields, just to name a few. I will attempt to tackle one type of approach at a time, in order to help fully understand the concept. My hope is that with a better understanding of what it is and different methods of reaching the state of happiness, that we can all be happier on a daily basis. In this project I hope to compile enough information to help myself and others form and strengthen beliefs on what happiness is. This is how I hope to create a brief and inspiring source to help individuals, who are also in the pursuit of happiness, create their own personal happily ever after. Cheesy pursuit?... Maybe.... but admit it, you want it too.
References:
2. Ferguson, Will, “Happiness”, 2001, http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=happiness&a=*C.happiness-_*Word-
3. “Happiness”, wikipedia.org, 24 May 2011, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness
4. Wilkinson, Will. “In Pursuit of Happiness Research: Is it Reliable? What does it Imply for Policy?” In Policy Analysis. no. 590 (2007). CATO Institute (23 May 2011).
5. Gilbert, Dan, “Dan Gilbert asks, Why are We Happy?”, ted.com, Feb 2004, http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html
I loved watching Dan Gilbert's PBS series.
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