Happiness is something many of us strive for using all the wrong approaches. We distract ourselves looking for the next big excitement, numb ourselves so we won’t feel emotional pain, seek pleasure in purchases, chase status in position or gaining influence or power and treat ourselves with food that we are not hungry for. Anyone who has achieved fame, fortune and status eventually recognizes that more things and more fame do not create any sense of lasting happiness.
So what is happiness and does it make any sense to chase it?
I have certainly had many moments of happiness in life but I notice that “happy” is an elusive state that comes and goes sometimes in unexpected ways. I can never pin down the state of happy but I do notice that I often find calm, content or neutral states frequently present when I let go of expectation or insistence in certain outcomes of achievement. What about you?
What do you think happiness is? Can you pin it down? When are you most at peace, content, calm? Is this a more realistic state?
Positive psychology researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky elaborates, describing happiness as, “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/happiness/definition
Trauma Counselling Can Help with Recovery
When someone has moved beyond the point of crisis and is ready to recover from the trauma they’ve experienced, Trauma Practice can help. Our goal is to improve the conversation through safe venues focused on trauma-informed care, where up-to-date and accurate information is widely shared. Together we can create an open dialogue and reduce the stigma and isolation of those who suffer.
A one time or monthly contribution to Trauma Practice means that we can all pay it forward and help others on the path of trauma recovery. Make a donation today.
Tune in to Realityradio101.com
If you’d like to learn more about our show tune in to realityradio101.com on every last Thursday of month at 1 pm EDT.
We invite our listeners to ask questions, leave comments, or share their stories via phone or email.
Phone: 1-866-905-7325 or 905-725-1907
Email: instudio101@gmail.com
Tune in live or listen to recordings of all of our programs: https://bit.ly/2mhVphy