Dig for Happiness

We sometimes find ourselves dismal for not-so-obvious reasons. We want to get out of that gloomy stage but don’t know how. Then other aspects of our lives become affected. We have trouble sleeping. Our appetite is either too much or too little. We are reluctant to attend social events. How do we know if we are truly happy? What can we do to feel happy or happier?

Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology and Chairman of Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, developed an Authentic Happiness Inventory Questionnaire to measure a person’s overall happiness. If you are curious about your happiness index, complete the questionnaire (http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/questionnaires.aspx) to find out. Under the influence of Jeremy Bentham, economists apply utilitarian theory to calculate happiness. Here is what they come up with: Happiness = the Utility of Good Feelings – the Utility of Bad Feelings. Better yet, some scientists proposed to invent a hedonimeter as a psychophysical instrument that could monitor, change and record a person’s emotional ups and downs. In theory, the hedonimeter should work. However, it has not been invented because people realize that happiness is strongly affected by inward feelings that determine choices we make, not by outward behaviors that display pleasure we take. Scientists have to dig harder to create the hedonimeter in a way that it can measure people’s spontaneous decisions, based on unforeseen variables like natural climate change, daily stress level, nutritional intake and human relationships. Before Oprah interviews the future-minded inventor for the hedonimeter, we still can rely on ourselves to find happiness.

We have to know that happiness comes in all different forms and there is no universal formula for happiness that works for everyone. We must take more active role in searching for personalized ways to lift up our spirits. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era, found the secret of her happiness – giving and getting. When she gave a book to someone she cared about, or when she got a birthday card from someone who cared, she felt happy. What works for Browning may not work for us. What is the meaning of happiness to us? We can make a list of fun things (they can be either big pleasures or little ones) that bring joy to our daily lives:

• A homemade apple pie?
  
• Playing basketball with friends?
  
• A visit to Barnes & Nobles?
• Receiving a love letter?
• Hanging out with college buddies?

This list is our emotional rescue when we feel unhappy next time. Instead of feeling down, we choose to engage in a fun activity in the list. We will be surprised by how much our moods get improved after we complete the activity. We also need to learn to disengage ourselves from negative thoughts right after our recognition of pain and misery. It is normal to experience troubles and sadness, but it is unhealthy to endure such feelings for a long time. Our minds need to get distracted by laughters, adventures, new knowledge and charity work. Being able to laugh helps people get through touch times. Go visit a city or a country that you always wanted to see. Pick up a new habit. Volunteering at a local nonprofit organization to help the needed.

The secret of feeling happy is kept in our minds. We make ourselves to choose happiness. Open our minds and let happiness in.