Hi friend,
My name is Samantha.
Today I wanted to have a short conversation about happiness.
This topic is important because I've used different methods to find true happiness.
We need to understand happiness before taking the proper steps to improve happiness.
So let's first discuss a definition of happiness.
Happiness is not just a fleeting emotion or a moment of pleasure,
Although it is part of it.
It's also the state of being in a deep and abiding sense of contentment and fulfillment that transcends the ups and downs of life.
You get that warm fuzzy feeling when everything feels good and right.
Although there's another approach,
A more theoretical perspective,
Let's look at two different theories rather than just the definition.
We're going to first look at the hedonic theory of happiness.
This theory suggests that happiness is derived from the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.
In other words,
It's about seeking out all those feel-good moments and doing whatever it takes to maximize pleasure in our lives.
So it might be indulging in a delicious dessert,
Experiencing thrilling adventures,
Or finding joy in simple everyday moments.
What about happiness,
Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain?
When you are out with your friends,
You might grab that extra glass of wine,
Order that chocolate cake after dinner,
Or find thrills in things such as skydiving.
Now there's the opposite of that,
Which is the eudaimonic theory of happiness.
Unlike the first one,
This theory of happiness is the pursuit of meaning and personal fulfillment.
It's about living life or purpose,
Self-discovery,
And growth.
Instead of chasing those moments of pleasure,
It's more about finding lasting contentment and living in alignment with our values and expressing our true selves.
This happiness is when you feel really good and happy because you are doing things that make you believe you are a better person and help you grow and learn.
It's like when you feel proud of yourself for being kind,
Helpful,
And working hard.
Even if there might be pain sometimes or long hours,
You believe it is worth it.
When you hear these two definitions,
Do either remind you of yourself?
Do you tend to veer towards one over the other when seeking happiness?
Perhaps you grab a piece of chocolate cake to share with your friends after dinner.
Or maybe it is a journey of self-discovery and growth.
As we compare and contrast these two theories of happiness,
It's important to recognize that they play a role in your overall well-being,
While one focuses on immediate pleasure and gratification,
The other offers a deeper,
More profound sense of contentment that comes from a purpose-driven life.
By incorporating elements of both theories into our lives,
We can create a holistic,
Fulfilling experience of happiness.
However,
No matter how you define it,
One thing is for sure.
Happiness is essential for our well-being,
And you also deserve it.
Studies have shown that happy people live longer,
Have stronger immune systems,
And even recover from illness faster.
So if you want to live long,
You want a healthy life,
And happiness is key.
You are worth it,
So make this commitment to yourself.
But here's a question that's often asked.
How do we find this happiness?
Is it something we can achieve through these external circumstances,
Like getting that promotion,
Buying a new car,
Or purchasing that purse?
Or is it something that comes from within,
From cultivating that positive mindset and practicing meditation or gratitude practices every day?
Well,
I'll give you a hint.
It's a little bit of both.
External factors can certainly contribute to our happiness,
But it's not an end-all.
True happiness comes from within,
From embracing who we are,
Living authentically,
And finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
But those external factors can also help,
So you do not need to feel bad about appreciating those other things in life as well.
If buying that new purse makes you happy,
That's okay.
If you're saving up for that car,
That's alright too.
You should work on those things as well.
I hope this discussion has inspired you to think more deeply about what happiness means to you,
And that you deserve to take other steps to cultivate it in your life,
And realize that you deserve happiness as it's not just a destination to reach.
It's a journey that needs to be embraced,
And for you to savor each step along the way.
But here's the thing.
Happiness means something different to everyone.
For some,
It's all about achieving success and reaching their goals.
For others,
It means connecting with loved ones and building meaningful relationships.
Please join me in my happiness course if you want to learn more.
This course will explore how to live your best life and find true happiness.
We begin by looking at having a shared understanding of what happiness is,
And the theories behind it using methods I have used myself and maintained,
Which is why I want to share them with you.
With that thought,
This is a journey,
Not a destination.
I want you to maintain it long term,
Not get there and then lose it.
We also will discuss a sustainable happiness plan for you and your daily life to foster happiness and contentment.
So,
If you want to dive deeper into this topic with steps to get there,
You can find on my profile the course titled A 5-Day Journey to Help Increase Your Happiness.
I hope to see you in the classroom.
