Can We Really Make Ourselves Happy? Try These Ideas – Part 2

“Happiness isn't a static condition. It is less a gift of temperament or circumstance than it is an ongoing and active commitment to the character of one’s life. Certain behaviors, conducted well, promote distinctive “positive” emotions, that is, forms of self-awareness that both feel good and support our relationship with others. Four patterns of such commitment are play, work, communion, and ritual.

In this part, you will learn more communion and ritual. These two elements celebrate the role of otherness in shaping experience. They provide distinctive emotions and combat despair.”

Communion: The hope-delight-joy-blessedness sequence

The motivating disposition of communion is “hope.” We want (but cannot guarantee) our upcoming visit to some destination—perhaps a movie theatre, party, or beach—to be a wonderful affair. Like children at Christmas, we anticipate. Ideally, the feelings that follow are those of “delight,” a series of pleasant surprises regarding that environment, the people we encounter there, and their various offerings. Beyond these excitements are the restorative feelings of “joy,” pauses that allow us to treasure the quality of our relationships. In that light, consider how you feel when you reconnect with a loved one after a long absence or serious illness. Ideally, moments such as these make you acknowledge “blessedness,” the sense that you are fortunate to have others contributing to your life.

Ritual: The faith-enchantment-rapture-reverence sequence

The motivating disposition of ritual is trust or “faith.” Belief in established realms of order gives us the confidence to go places and do things. It defines who we are to others. To encounter the power of ritual is, initially, to have a sense of “enchantment,” to feel the power of resources beyond our control. That awareness leads to an experience of “rapture,” of being carried up and away—of having new powers of vision and control. When ritual transports one, perhaps in ways thought impossible before, it reinforces a sense of respect, even reverence.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Happiness #Well-being #Communion #Ritual

💬 What are your thoughts on these two factors?