We have been sharing the exploration of happiness for nearly two months. In the process, we toured the regions of the brain from primitive to advanced versions of its quest for satisfaction. We also discovered the brain's natural bias toward negative perceptions, threat avoidance, and pessimism. That bias can be modified with conscious efforts to replace gloomy thoughts with sunnier ones. Mental training can also improve our self-talk to emphasize positive perspectives and the emotions that flow in their wake.
Moving on from focus on the brain, we learned that human happiness is at its best when we recognize our core character strengths and employ them in service of an ideal beyond ourselves. Furthermore, a life of service is most enjoyable and rewarding when we develop personal energy along physical, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions by alternating effort with recovery on a regular basis.
Next up, we took a look at the spiritual aspect of happiness, testing the presumption that "life is good, even when it's not." Some uniquely gifted and enlightened individuals appear to be deeply happy, no matter what. They do not set strict conditions on the circumstances under which they agree to smile. We can take steps toward being more like them.
Finally, we asked ourselves about the relationship between our own happiness and the well-being of others. Are we more generous and forgiving when we are ourselves content? Or is pursuing happiness a selfish act that takes away from what we might have to give?
These topics have touched me personally over the years. They have guided me to pay attention to negative habits (of thought, feeling, self-talk) and to change them with conscious intent. I have gradually released a habit of harsh judgments and see myself and others with increasing compassion. I have learned to step back from negative programming, question it, and change it (one small step at a time). And I continue to nurture the ideal of unconditional happiness, taking a harder look at myself when I demand that circumstances change, "or else!"
