as it’s a deeply personal experience that can vary depending on the individual, context, and temporal factors. However, most people concur on one point: happiness is a sought-after state that many pursue in various ways throughout their lives.
State of Internal Harmony
This refers to a profound sense of balance, tranquility, and unity within oneself. It’s the sentiment that despite external pressures, stresses, or challenges, one feels internally balanced and at peace. In this state of internal harmony, an individual wholly accepts themselves – embracing both their strengths and vulnerabilities. There’s no need for preteens or concealing one’s genuine self from oneself or the world. An individual residing in harmony makes decisions and acts aligned with their deeply embedded values and beliefs, yielding a sensation of authenticity and coherence.
Sustainability:
Sole reliance on fleeting joys results in an endless cycle of desires. As the allure of one pleasure wanes, we quest for another to fill the void. This could lead to the belief that an incessant pursuit of new experiences or amassing more material possessions is the key to happiness. True happiness is more intrinsically linked to a state of balance and tranquility than to external stimuli. It’s attained through profound self-awareness, self-acceptance, nurturing enduring relationships, and discovering purpose in life.
A Rich Life: Martin Seligman, often regarded as the father of positive psychology, introduced a theory of happiness rooted in three pillars: pleasure, engagement, and meaning. These three elements compose what Seligman describes as a “rich life.” Delving into this concept, one can dive deeper into each of these three pillars.
For Seligman, achieving a “rich life” implies cultivating and balancing these three facets. While each of these pillars can confer a sense of happiness, amalgamating all three components leads to a deeper, more enduring sense of fulfilment and life satisfaction.
For psychologist Abraham Maslow, true happiness was linked to the attainment of self-actualization, a state in which an individual fully utilizes their potential and strives for self-improvement. For Maslow, real happiness is not a fleeting feeling or transient emotion. It is a state of enduring satisfaction and fulfilment that arises when one achieves the state of self-actualization.
Attaining this state is not easy and might necessitate living in constant reflection, striving for self-improvement, and pushing one’s boundaries. Those who have achieved self-actualization often experience what is termed “peak experiences” – moments of profound contentment, unity with the surroundings, or mystical experiences. Such individuals also exhibit greater creativity, self and others’ acceptance, and the ability to form deeper relationships.
elationships with others also help in personal growth. Through interactions, we learn patience, empathy, communication, and many other vital skills. Provided they are not toxic relationships that destabilize us from within. When we are surrounded by people who understand our aspirations and values, it becomes easier to find a deeper meaning in life. How we perceive ourselves often closely ties with how others perceive us and the roles we play in these groups. As we grow older, having garnered life-long experiences in human interactions, we tend to depend less on others’ acceptance and more on self-acceptance. Paradoxically, the more we accept ourselves, the more acceptance we gain from our surroundings.
To understand this notion, we first delve into what it means to “live in the moment.” Living in the moment isn’t about making impulsive decisions or lacking future planning. Instead, it’s the skill of being present here and now, experiencing each moment fully instead of sacrificing it worrying about the future or ruminating on the past. When we are fully present, our senses are sharper. We listen more attentively, observe more consciously, and feel more intensely. Each moment becomes richer and more satisfying. Our mind is more receptive to fresh ideas and insights, making us more creative and innovative. Many cultures and spiritual traditions teach the value of being present. Meditation, mindfulness, and yoga practices are some methods people use to live more in the present.
Self-acceptance is the recognition and embrace of one’s uniqueness, flaws, and strengths. It’s understanding that we aren’t perfect, but nonetheless valuable. Internal criticism and comparing oneself with others often lead to anxieties and uncertainties. By accepting oneself, we become more resistant to external judgments and societal pressure. Lack of acceptance, both internal and external, is often a root of stress, anxieties, and depression. Acceptance is the key to healing and feeling balanced. It doesn’t imply stagnation. In fact, self-acceptance is the first step towards authentic personal growth. Seeing oneself in a true light allows understanding of what changes are desired and how to achieve them. Accepting oneself, others, and the surrounding world is one of the fundamental cornerstones of genuine happiness. It equips us to navigate life’s complexities with a sense of calm, confidence, and positive energy.
Joanna Skorzewska
certified dietitian, cosmetologist and personal trainer
