The Mt Kenya Times 
By David Ndirangu
Worth Noting:
- Getting to much engrossed in this could lead to a need to keep others down and is not long lasting. Trying too hard to find happiness could have the opposite effect which can lead to one being overly selfish.
- The third level is Purpose – derived by a person’s talents and skills that allow one to serve others for a larger good. It gives the person a sense of purpose, fulfilment and long term happiness.
- The fourth is the Ultimate Good. This is the desire for perfect truth, goodness, beauty and love. It is mostly found within religions. Research has shown that there is a linear relationship between religious involvement and happiness. Commitment to a faith is related to greater compassion.
Happiness is a state of emotional well-being that a person experiences when good things happen or after a positive evaluation of one’s life and accomplishments.
There are basically four levels of happiness according to psychologists. Level one is Pleasure – this is mainly physical pleasure that gives immediate gratification, for example consumption of a sumptuous meal or various substances. Getting too much used to this happiness could lead to one always seeking satisfaction for temporary desires. Passion is the second level – derived from engaging in one’s job or hobbies and is mainly based on satisfying one’s ego.
Getting to much engrossed in this could lead to a need to keep others down and is not long lasting. Trying too hard to find happiness could have the opposite effect which can lead to one being overly selfish.
The third level is Purpose – derived by a person’s talents and skills that allow one to serve others for a larger good. It gives the person a sense of purpose, fulfilment and long term happiness.
The fourth is the Ultimate Good. This is the desire for perfect truth, goodness, beauty and love. It is mostly found within religions. Research has shown that there is a linear relationship between religious involvement and happiness. Commitment to a faith is related to greater compassion.
Persons who are compassionate or empathetic will be more inclined to give emotional support to others and those who provide emotional support will more often than not be happy. Nevertheless, even those who do not belief in a higher deity find happiness in pursuit of beauty, love, common goodness and helping others.
Happiness can be closely related to positive emotions derived from pleasurable activities. Thus training your mind to develop a positive attitude and mind-set will greatly help in experiencing happiness. It is a practice that brings abundant benefits to your own life and to your relationships. The positive energy and optimism will encourage and reinforce your positive attitude. Engage in meaningful positive conversations, share experiences and seek likeminded people who radiate positivity. Limit your exposure to negative news, social media toxicity and pessimistic talk. You should try to indulge in motivational resources like books and online groups that uplift you. This way you mind will flourish and maintain a positive mind-set.
Appreciate and express thanks to people who have done good things in your life. It will enrich their lives and also help you to develop a positive outlook to life. Happiness happens to be infectious. When you spend more time with happy people, you will very likely be happy as well.
You should practice self- love – treat yourself as you would treat your friend facing a similar situation. Cultivate self-encouraging and empowering thoughts to replace self-limiting ones. Practice telling yourself self-affirmation statements. Accept that making mistakes is part of being human and an opportunity to learn to do better next time.
To achieve everyday happiness as an individual you should also try to always find joy in simple pleasures, cultivate personal healthy habits and prioritise self-care.
There are some characteristics that are generally common in happy individuals; they portray a positive outlook towards life and they are tough enough in the of face life’s challenges. They may be facing very difficult situations but will always look at them as opportunities or learning experiences. They have the ability to enjoy the present moment no matter how uncertain happiness in the future may be.
Happy people tend to live healthier lives than unhappy people. They enjoy greater protection against stress as they release less of the stress hormone – cortisol. They are less prone to illnesses as their immunity to diseases is normally higher than that of unhappy persons and are thus likely to live longer. They have also been found to experience fewer aches and pains including dizziness, muscle pains and heartburn.
Happiness helps people to cope better with chronic pain like the one associated with arthritis. Happy people are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure and other heart related complications. They easily and almost effortlessly cultivate healthy and meaningful relationships with others. They practice gratitude and are able to engage in activities that align with their passions.
David Ndirangu Bsc. International Business Administration (USIU- A) CPA (K) Business Management Consultant and Author of the book; This is DAVE. Email: ndirangudavid2023@gmail.com
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