When we talked about altruism in our last conversation, we mentioned that the practice of it is related to happiness (1). Now let's delve deeper into this topic.
We have a lot to say about happiness. After all, there are countless articles, books, websites, and social media forums discussing the subject. We follow certain publications that propose step-by-step methods for how to be happy, we compulsively buy self-help books, and each day we feel emptier and continue our search.
But what are we searching for? Perhaps an idea of happiness associated with models previously established by society: one is happy who possesses more money, fame, power, beauty, global knowledge, and status. We do not feel “happy” until we reach the self-imposed levels of these items. But does this truly bring happiness?
Of course not. And this discussion is already at a global level. Based on the well-known GNH (Gross National Happiness) - initially implemented in Bhutan - several countries have sought to measure the development of their nation, focusing on aspects beyond just economic growth, as it is not only wealth that brings well-being to a nation. Brazil is also on the verge of developing its "happiness index," which is being discussed at Rio+20, a conference on sustainable development taking place this June in Rio de Janeiro.
If we stop to evaluate our lives, we will notice that we spend a large part of our days satisfying a need that we do not even truly know. We wake up, rush out, arrive late, do, process, insist, question, eat quickly, lie down, and sleep while already thinking about the next day. Phew! Our days are rushed. We have a sequential programming of activities that we perform robotically, without truly experiencing them. And thus the days pass, the months pass, the years pass.
One day we decide to question ourselves: but after all, what is my life goal? What truly makes me happy? And thus begins a new journey, which makes us re-signify our way of living.
At this moment, we realize that we spend a lot of time projecting our happiness onto achievements that are always yet to come (“when I become”... ”when I buy”) or even delegating to others the role of making us happy, while happiness depends, above all, on our own empowerment in life and decision to be happy.
This issue of “empowerment” of one’s own happiness dates back to the 4th century BC, when Socrates proposed that the pursuit of happiness is a responsibility of the individual (2).
Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, in her book “The How of Happiness,” cites, based on studies, that 50% of individual differences in happiness are determined by genes, 10% by life circumstances, and 40% by intentional activities (3).
Considering, then, that the state of being happy depends largely on ourselves and that among the many definitions of happiness, most refer to a positive emotional state, with feelings of well-being and pleasure (2), we are now invited to take a different look at our day-to-day lives, making each experience, each gesture of our routine, a reason to be happy.
After all, being able to feel the sensation of fresh water when washing our face in the morning, the sweet taste of ripe seasonal fruits, or even the strong embrace of someone we love, provides an immense feeling of pleasure and well-being. It only takes a new perspective. Each day is an invitation to happiness.
We can conclude this conversation by recalling a phrase from the late Carlos Drummond de Andrade: “To be happy without reason is the most authentic form of happiness.”
References:
(1) Post, S.G. Altruism, happiness, and health: it’s good to be good. Int J Behav Med. 12(2):66-77, 2005;
(2) FERRAZI, R.B., TAVARES, H., ZILBERMAN, M. Happiness: a review. Rev. Psiq. Clín 34 (5); 234-242, 2007;
(3) Available at: http://chass.ucr.edu/faculty_book/lyubomirsky/discover_happiness.html.
(4) Illustration available at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/search.php?search=children+happiness&cat=&page=1&gid_search=&photogid=0. Image name: Kiding Flying Kit.
