Blog Entry
A Formula For Happiness?
Written by lowprofile on June 13, 2009
" It is simply: Pleasure + engagement + meaning = happiness
I do not have a degree in psychology but I am a student of human kind and it seems to me that while it seems simplistic (and these “positive psychologists” will be the first to admit it is overly simplistic) it actually touches on the central issues.
In order to be happy we need pleasure in our lives. We need the small pleasures of a tasty treat, a beautiful sunrise, or laughter. We also need larger pleasures found in success and love.
We also need engagement to be happy. This means that our lives must include activities or enterprises that capture our wholehearted interest. You know, the level of engagement when we forget about the clock, the outside world, and just about everything but the object of our focus.
Finally, we must have meaning in our life. We must feel that we matter and that what we do matters. We must know that we are valuable, valued and that our lives make a difference.
One of the faults with this simple formula is that it does not include an urge to balance. It would be too easy to focus on one area to the detriment of others. While engagement and meaning are essential to the formula, for example, overlooking the need for pleasure could make happiness impossible to attain.
While some may mock this “happiness formula”, I would argue that it can be useful in the pursuit of becoming a happier person. We all need reminders that being happy is not serendipity but rather an active choice. In fact, more than a choice, being happy really is an action that must be taken every day.
Are you happy most of the time? Then share your own secret formula! But if you are not happy then it can be well worth your time to consider the “happiness formula” and how you can apply it to your life. Remember, it is not enough to wish for or think about happiness — but rather you must live it.
You can live a happier life with the help of the happiness formula as well as your own active pursuit of happiness."
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xtina said on September 2, 2009:
very interesting and insightful :)
My way of being happy is simply to try and free myself from any negative feelings like anger and hatred.
madda said on June 15, 2009:
it's very nice!! "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." right?
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roofyrox said on June 14, 2009:
i think lowprofile is saying engagement does not mean engagement as in marriage, but engaging in an activity to keep active and focused. I think this is a great blog, and i like the part of knowing that our lives do make a difference in others.....
adik-ct89 said on June 14, 2009:
engagement..? what do u mean by engagement? people who doesn't involve in engagement don't deserve da happiness..? is that what u mean?
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Ovidiu is a guy that lives in Romania. He joined Dipdive on May 16, 2009. The last time he logged in was 17 hours ago.
on May 11, 2010 from web
Obviously, diminishing returns apply. This and other trivial misunderstandings regarding the Happiness Formula are clarified at: FoolQuest.com