The theme of happiness and abundant living has been consistent for all of the time. From ancient philosophers such as Aristotle, who claimed that happiness is the highest desire and ambition for human beings, to modern motivational content aspiring individuals to lead a happy and abundant life. Even the Bible values an abundant life as stipulated in John 10:10 – “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” referring to the purpose of Jesus’ time on earth. In the book Social Psychology by David G Myers and Jean Twenge, the authors give 10 points on how to achieve happiness. The pointers comprised; reducing the mental value of wealth, taking control of one’s time, acting happy, being engaged in skillful activities, focusing on physical and mental health, sleeping adequately, prioritizing close relationships, noting life’s positive aspects, focusing beyond the self and nurturing the spiritual self.
Reading through the list in the book led to the formulation of a mental checklist. It also prompted self-evaluation with questions such as “Am I really in control of my time?” and “Do I sleep enough?” I also identified how doing activities like learning and improving my musical skills actually subconsciously add to my happiness levels. In regards to prioritizing close relationships, I evaluated my actions towards my friends and family, especially during this pandemic, and saw how checking up on them and helping them on tasks made all of us just a little bit happier. Working out has been a saving grace in these tough times, and studies show it helps to manage anxiety and depression. I will then illustrate how focusing beyond myself and nurturing my spiritual self contribute to living abundantly and being happy.
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Focusing beyond oneself involves cultivating compassion and considering the fact that there are other individuals, like on unlike yourself, leading different lives and facing different challenges. In my attempts to focus beyond myself, I started to put myself in people’s shoes actively. Instead of just saying the usual apologies and “thoughts and prayers,” I consider exactly how the person can be helped. Reaching out to those in need is the first step; effectively helping them is the other. While this can seem quite tiring, genuinely helping others evokes happiness and gives purpose to life.
Nurturing the spiritual self does not only pertain to being religious. Studies, however, show that actively religious individuals are generally happier and have better coping mechanisms. In my perspective, nurturing the spiritual self involves believing in something bigger than myself. Believing in a common unidentified unifying factor among all of us. Believing that the purpose of life is to live it abundantly and help everyone I possibly can. The concept of spiritual connection to other individuals ensures we treat others considerably and this, coupled with the aforementioned aspects, leads to a happier life full of meaning and abundance.
