SATISFACTION AND HAPPINESS; BLOG # 2219; FRI JAN 17,2020

THE COMEBACK:

"I HATE YOU!"

"THAT’S OK. NOT EVERYONE HAS 

GOOD TASTE." 

THE MESSAGE:

YOU MAY BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT ARE YOU SATISFIED?

When life and work seem confusing, it is time to examine and reflect on your strengths and values. Sometimes we get that feeling of, wondering, "is this is all there is?” One may realize he or she has achieved success but dissatisfaction persists. Perhaps a self examination is in order before it becomes too late.

TONY TODAY:

Abraham Maslow, the American Psychologist, proposed that healthy human beings have a certain number of needs. He arranged them in a hierarchy, with some needs, such as physiological and safety needs, being more primitive or basic than others, such as social and ego needs. Maslow’s ‘hierarchy of needs’ is often presented as a five-level pyramid, with higher needs coming into focus only once lower, more basic needs are met.

Maslow called the bottom four levels of the pyramid ‘deficiency needs’ because a person does not feel anything if they are met, but becomes anxious if they are not.

Happiness can be  found in Maslow's hierarchy of needs where the happiness resulting from self-actualization is at the top of the pyramid. It is followed by  physiological and safety needs and the  needs for love, belonging and self-esteem. 

PSYCHOLOGISTS MAKE REFERENCE TO THE REALITY OF LIFE STAGES”

• Early Adulthood (Ages 20-35): 

It takes enterprise for young adults to accomplish their many responsibilities, including finding a home and mate, establishing a family or circle of friends, and/or getting a good job. This principle of enterprise thus serves us at any stage of life when we need to go out into the world and make our mark.

• Midlife (Ages 35-50):

After many years in young adulthood of following society’s scripts for creating a life, people in midlife often take a break from worldly responsibilities to reflect upon the deeper meaning of their lives, the better to forge ahead with new understanding. This element of contemplation represents an important resource that we can all draw upon to deepen and enrich our lives at any age. 

• Mature Adulthood (Ages 50-80):
  

Those in mature adulthood have raised families, established themselves in their work life, and become contributors to the betterment of society through volunteerism, mentorships, and other forms of philanthropy. All of humanity benefits from their benevolence. Moreover, we all can learn from their example to give more of ourselves to others. 

• Late Adulthood (Age 80+):
  

Those with long lives have acquired a rich repository of experiences that they can use to help guide others. Elders thus represent the source of wisdom that exists in each of us, helping us to avoid the mistakes of the past while reaping the benefits of life’s lessons.

Where are we now? From birth till death, we all develop and mature as we continue to move through life. For some, the transition from one life stage to another feels like a natural process, while others find themselves stuck in a particular stage for a long time.

THE MUSIC:

WHERE IS THE SATISFACTION?

To look deeply at dissatisfaction, we must turn our attention inward. Does one find low levels of unease, irritation or restlessness? Does one feel anguish stemming from the fact that the world is not conforming to one’s liking? We can’t make pleasant experiences last forever, and we can’t prevent unpleasant experiences from developing. We can no more control the temperature outside than we can the realities of an evil political regime. Life simply refuses to always be the way we would like it to be. We can refuse to accept this fact, but it only increases our angst and dissatisfaction.

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

As Aristotle said “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. 

HAPPINESS AS MOMENTARY FEELINGS OF JOY AND PLEASURE.

This type of happiness represents short-term positive emotions that we recognize as simple pleasures. They can result from a good meal, a hobby we enjoy, watching a good movie or ball game, listening to piece of music we like, having sex and so on. These immediate types of happiness or joy are relatively easy to identify and compare; however, they are of short duration and after the experience we return to our normal mental state. 

HAPPINESS AS JUDGEMENTS ABOUT OUR WELL-BEING

This level of happiness requires an assessment that goes beyond momentary feelings. If you are questioned about how happy you are with your life in general your answer will reflect this level of your happiness. Your response will most likely take into account your immediate situation, your knowledge of other people’s experiences as well as the history of previous personal feelings. Many studies of happiness in psychology works at this level. For example, in publishing that people in Norway are happier than people in France then most likely it refers to general well-being as measured through various surveys. 

HAPPINESS AS SELF AWARENESS

This level of happiness represents fulfilment at a higher level that is achieving one's full potential. It can be seen as accomplishments with a higher meaning and has to do with self-realization. This happiness is mo:re rational, reflective, and relative and can be placed at the top of Maslow’s Pyramid.

THE QUESTION:

Can you be happy in all senses of the term all the time?

THE LEMON:

Awarded to Prince Andrew for associating with  the abusive  Jeffrey Epstein.

THE QUOTE:

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature."Marcus Aurelius

THE CLIP: