A Formula for Happiness?
Is there such a things as a formula to happiness? There is movement called positive psychology that attempts to answer that question. It works out what you need to do, to be happy. Positive psychology studies not our problems, trauma and wounds, rather the mechanics of what makes us happy and contented. The focus is on how to be happy rather than how not to be sad. I have read a number of books in these areas that I have found both helpful and fascinating. There some links at the bottom of the post to the ones I have read.
Although I liked these books, there is a danger for me, at least when it comes to reading, not just these books but any book on improving oneself. This issue is illustrated a by true story what happened to me last summer. Picture lovely warm summer’s day in Malta. Lucky for me I only live a walk away from the beach. Although I live in the part of the island that has sandy beach, I prefer more secluded rocky part of the coast, that is quieter and nice to swim in. So there I was about to head out to the beach and spotted on our book shelf a book I didn’t realise we had .I has been meaning to order it after reading an article of the author but I just hadn’t got around to .Little did I know my partner Susana had already bought book and had just recently unpacked on our book self. The book is called “Happiness: Lesson in a new science†by Richards Layman .On the front over it has little star that says inside the “ 7 Causes of being happyâ€. Wow! I thought I will grab the book and was filled with that sense of satisfaction when you find something you really want to read. My morning was now mapped out, have swim, lay out my towel and discover the 7 causes of being happy, hoping of course I immediately cause them there and then.
So far so good, I get to the beach, I have my lovely swim, I lay out my towel, I get out my water, if put on my sunglasses, I pull the book from my back pack and then like a true Frank Spencer , I kind of did this weird losing of balance thing and the book came flying out of my hands .The place I was I actually high up from the sea and the book fell from my hands and into the sea. Too far down and impossible to get to, I just had to watch my book, actually Susana’s book ,float off into the Mediterranean . So the moral of the story ,according to Susana it was to never ever leave the house with book that’s hers. Ok I got that one. Second moral a Freudian slip, accuse the pun, or subconscious message to myself. Maybe I should stop reading, researching, listening and taking in how to be happy, maybe it was time to give being happy ago? Of all the books to plummet in the sea, particularly when I was so looking forward to reading it, one on “How to Happy”. This can’t just a coincidence it’s a sign for sure.
Hi Ewan,
It sounds to me as though you’ve already reached a point along the way where you can assess your position from.
Happiness is, I believe, part of a continuum, neither an object nor a goal in itself but a by-product of living what the Ancient Greeks called Eudiamonia or the Good Life.
In my own contribution The Mechanics of Happiness – Engineering A Positive Approach to Your Life I advocate a thorough understanding of self as the launch pad and ‘being’ as the ultimate destination in a progression that involves many stages or complete cycles. Though I have MAs in Philosophy and History my own approach is less academic, indeed I posit the view that there is a mutual antagonism between academia and the self help movement who both look at each other through their one ‘bad eye’. No consolation to the individual who has no vested interest in either camp and wants simply to understand and engage with their own life more effectively.
You’re welcome to visit http://www.themechanicsofhappiness.com and read extracts from the book, interviews, articles and do please feel free to add your own comments.
Warmly,
PJL
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the post and the link to your web site. I think you’re right about split between the self help and academic perspectives .It’s something I come across often as a psychic ,as far credibility goes sadly “phone psychics†are down the bottom .I have had a look at your site and you seem to have really put something very through, insightful and accessible for people.
Good luck with it and feel free to come on the blog and post your feedback anytime.
Regards
Ewan