Is Balance the New Happy?

635 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Emotions in the pursuit of happiness

We spend much of our lives focusing upon getting happy. We pursue happiness like it’s a destination on a map that we need to reach before sundown. What is happiness? Will this endless pursuit result in happiness?

What is happiness?
Happiness is a feeling or an emotional response to your state of mind and external environment. As humans we are innately driven by pain and pleasure. It is not necessarily actual pain or pleasure but our perception of the possibility that an event may lead to a painful or pleasurable experience. We fall into the trap of chasing an emotional response; our desire to achieve happiness eventually lead to being burned out by bowing to the pressure of being happy and chasing after possessions, the perfect body or a dream job. At this point it is easy to conclude that the pursuit of happiness is making us unhappy but when you take a closer look, it really isn’t so. Could our mind-set or focus be making us unhappy? This feeling of being burned out is never in the pursuit of a fulfilled and balanced life; it’s the direct result of persistent mindless pursuit of one or two things and neglecting all the rest.

Dissatisfaction
When you pursue a feeling you will never be satisfied because you are pursuing an outcome and instead of seeking avenues that lead to your desired emotional response. I want you to think of a moment when you were truly happy. What was your life like? What were you doing? Who was involved? How did it feel? At this present point in time, I am happy but there have been other moments where I have been at my happiness that reveal something a little unexpected. I was 29 years old, living in Melbourne. I had an amazing group of friends, a well-paid job as well as a volunteer production management ...

... middle of paper ...

...balance in your life?

How to Restore Balance
Take come time to reflect upon the seven key areas of your life: health, personal (emotions, mind-set), career, wealth, relationships, recreation and contribution. Give each area a score out of 10. Take note of the areas that score less than seven or choose two or three that are most important to you. Ask yourself, what does this area of my life look like at the moment? Be honest and write down a brief description. Now consider, how you would like these areas to look like? Write them down and set goals to help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Have you recently restored balance back to your life? How did you achieve this? Please let me know by leaving a comment below; leave as much detail as you can.

Works Cited

2013, Tony Robbins, Re-Awaken the Giant within
2012, The Happiness Trap

Show More
Related

  • What Is Happiness In John Stuart Mill's In Pursuit Of Unhappiness

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Happiness is the positive emotion and contentment one feels naturally. Many Psychology studies have been concluded to display what pure happiness is. In the article, “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin M. McMahon, he indicates that happiness cannot be forced. In the article, McMahon mentions a philosopher, John Stuart Mill, who acknowledges as well, that happiness can not be forced. He says that if one focuses on something other than their own happiness, happiness will come to them naturally. By what Mill says, people should be encouraged that happiness will come to them and can not force happiness to them. Another example is Jeffrey Kluger’s article, “The Happiness of Pursuit”, he talks about how people focus on never being happy. He says,

    Read More

  • John Stuart Mill: The Paradox Of Happiness

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    First off, happiness has always been seen as a factor that is solely dependent on ourselves. In reality however, the world around you and the people within in it are a big factor in whether or not we have an inner peace or not. Mill agrees: “Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind…” (Brink 89), focusing on objects or things other than ourselves yields more happiness for us in the long run.

    Read More

  • Dalai Lama Analysis

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    Happiness has always been a desirable goal throughout our lives, but each actions we take might just affect the happiness of others. When humans seek happiness, we always seek for things that make us feel alive, or things that brings us the greatest comfort. Our contentment comes with the act of selfishness since we choose to prioritize our happiness above all other. We willingly classify happiness in two different types of meaning, both physical and mental happiness. People ought not be in title to happiness because it is classified in general as a physical desire by many people. Contentment is always known to be a physical satisfaction in life instead of a self-inducing satisfaction for life.

    Read More

  • Eduardo Porter What Is Happiness

    1339 Words  | 3 Pages

    Happiness is a feeling that everyone tries to accomplish, yet some people sometimes only capture portions of it. In Brian Doyle essay, “Irreconcilable Dissonance,” he explains that divorce is becoming common among many couples today. Most couples are putting less effort into making a relationship/marriage work. There are many couples who get married, and most of them know that if the marriage does not work that divorce is always an option. With divorce in their back of their mind they lack the true meaning of having a happy marriage. In Eduardo Porter essay, “What Is Happiness,” Porter states that happiness is determined by people’s qualities in their life. People who experience a positive viewpoint on life and about others are overall to

    Read More

  • Life Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness Analysis

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    But what does happiness really mean? People might say smiling, or being with your loved ones but according to google happiness feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. What makes you happy? Dose your friends make you happy? Or your pet? Or even a video game? These things make many people happy but how is happiness triggered? Well google says that there are four primary chemicals in the brain that affect happiness: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. I'd did some research and found out that each one you trigger your happiness will go up, which increases productivity in your brain. So the happier you are the harder you think. We know what happiness means, but what does the pursuit of happiness mean? I did some research and found out that the meaning of the pursuit of happiness means, google says the pursuit The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. I agree with this definition because I do this every day, I go to school and see my friends, that makes me happy. I also play video games and hang out with my family. These things make me happy and I'm not violating any laws while doing this. You also can’t buy happiness. Happiness comes from within and it can’t be valued at a certain price. Charles

    Read More

  • Success and Happiness: A Personal Reflection

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Happiness, what is it, and why do we strive to achieve it so persistently? Happiness in some points of view is portrayed as the state that is derived from self-awareness of a benefiting action or moment taking place. What of the moments that are not beneficial? Can a person still find moments of happiness and success in discord, a little glimmer of light shining from the deep recesses of our own consciousness? Plucking it from a mere moment, achieved from money, or is it so much more, happiness is the precipice that all strive to gain to better perceive their success. As a person lives, they are in a constant struggle to be happy. For instance, even the United States Constitution makes reference to the idea that every person has the inalienable right to pursue happiness. This was the resulting outcome of the enlightenment from France, spilling out into the rest of the world from 1650 through 1800. This revolutionized the idea that every single person has the inalienable right to happiness or in different views the right to succeed. As to how one peruses or conjures their happiness that is an entirely different concept and completely up to their preferred preference, but it is something that a person needs to find on their own for true success.

    Read More

  • Speech on Happiness

    556 Words  | 2 Pages

    But in this debate, one question still raises its head - What is happiness? Happiness is not actually leading a luxurious life, but the luxury of living a life. Happiness is not actually about expanding your business, but it lies in expanding the horizons of life. Happiness is not having a meal in the most famous restaurant, but having it with your most beloved family. It does not lie in attending honorable parties, but to attend a party with honor.

    Read More

  • John Stuart Mill's 'A Crisis In My Mental History: One Stage Onward'

    848 Words  | 2 Pages

    First, the expectation of being happiness normally undermines its purpose, making us unhappy. Subsequently, devoting oneself to the happiness of others in turn brings happiness to the person. Finally, true happiness comes from being content with what one already has instead of worrying about he or she doesn’t. So the next time you think that you are not and want to be happy, remember that instead of following the feeling around, let happiness come to

    Read More

  • The Definition of Happiness

    481 Words  | 1 Pages

    According to the Webster dictionary, the word happiness is defined as enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. When people think of happiness, they think about having a good feeling inside. There are many types of happiness, which are expressed in many ways. Happiness is something that you can't just get; it comes from your soul. Happiness can be changed through many things that happen in our everyday lives.

    Read More

  • Happiness: A Personal Essay: The Definition Of Happiness

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...orking progress to reach a stage where one can focus on oneself and see the larger picture, as an adventure and experiences. The one secret to actually getting happiness has nothing to do with setting goals or achieving them. To obtain your definition of happiness, firstly, be more optimistic and have a positive outlook on all opportunities and not look for “happy moments,” because “happy moments” can last for so long. All in all, happiness equals appreciating each and every moment for whatever it has to offer, and to add personal values and purpose onto your life. This all might make happiness hard to achieve, but the up side is that happiness can be created in any situation. There are plenty of stories of people facing hardships in their life, but would still find happiness in their family, faith, and career, and the hardships just doesn’t seem too hard after all.

    Read More

  • Happiness Is A Choice

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Happiness is an inner state of well-being and fulfilment, and therefore it has to come from inside. Every individual has his or her own emotions and way of thinking and as a result of this no one can really say what happiness is and what happiness is not. However, universally, happiness is a by-product of a healthy attitude and viewpoint. Happiness exists in everyone whether they choose to acknowledge and believe it or not. It is not rare nor is it something only the elite have: everyone has it but not everyone recognizes it. Contentment is finding a light at the end of every dark tunnel and in order to experience this we must ignore the pessimism surrounding us and remind ourselves that happiness is not a materialistic object but a choice and frame of mind.

    Read More

  • The Pursuit of Happiness

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Happiness is a feeling that humans naturally desire. Without it, one feels incomplete. In this generation, happiness has taken on a definition by how we are presented to one another. It is measured by how much money we have, how famous we are, or the things we possess. When in reality, none of these things guarantee a happy life. Happiness is something that cannot be bought with money, but rather, it must be found, earned, sought after. Each and every one of us has our own list of things that we consider to make us happy. However, happiness shines brightest through the relationships we create, and the goals we make for ourselves to strive after. Along with these two essential sources, we then can mix and match those things in life that we enjoy to create our own unique formula for happiness.

    Read More

  • What Makes a Person Happy?

    1245 Words  | 3 Pages

    Everybody wants to be happy. Parents want their children to have a happy childhood and a happy life, people wish newlyweds a happy married life, and when someone passes on, they say, “S/he had a happy life,” as if that is comforting to those who are already missing the person and who are very unhappy. Why is happiness so important to people? Perhaps it is because humans are competitive by nature and one person exaggerates his/her happiness so that others are envious. Maybe it is because humans like to be distracted by a story and if they can believe someone actually achieves perfect happiness, then they can hold out hope for themselves. What is happiness exactly? No one knows because everyone defines it differently. In general though, happiness is an overall feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. If that is the case, then happiness seems easy enough to achieve, but whether humans are actually capable of realizing they are in the state of happiness though is another issue.

    Read More

  • Self-Acceptance is the Key to Happiness

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    When we are young children, we are introduced to the concept of "living happily ever after". This is a fairy-tale emotional state of absolute happiness, where nothing really happens, and nothing even seems to matter. It is a state of feeling good all the time. In fairy tales, this feeling is usually found in fulfilling marriages, royal castles, singing birds and laughing children. In real life, an even-keeled mood is more psychologically healthy than a mood in which you frequently achieve great heights of happiness. Furthermore, when you ask people what makes their lives worth living, they rarely mention their mood. They are more likely to talk about what they find meaningful, such as their work or relationships. Research suggests that if you focus too much on trying to feel good all the time, you’ll actually undermine your ability to ever feel good because no amount of feeling good will be satisfying to you. If feeling good all the time were the only requirement for happiness, then a person who uses cocaine every day would be extremely happy. In our endless struggle for more money, more love and more security, we have forgotten the most fundamental fact: happiness is not caused by possessions or social positions, and can in fact be experienced in any daily activity. We have made happiness a utopia: expensive, complicated, and unreachable.

    Read More

  • Things That Brings Happiness To My Life

    1717 Words  | 4 Pages

    Happiness can come in different forms for each person. Some people dream of achieving great wealth to buy everything they ever wanted. Others may find simple tasks such as, reading a book, to make them happy. There are people who find happiness by making others happy, whether it’d be, feeding the homeless, or giving random compliments to strangers. I think that most people would agree that the purpose of life is happiness. There are several things that bring happiness to my world, which include, family, health, and laughter, among other things. Accomplishments can also bring happiness to people, which is what many people strive for during their lives. It can be a promotion, diploma, house, etc. It is usually something that is challenging,

    Read More

More about Is Balance the New Happy?

Open Document