Have you wished you have the energy to get on with things? Try what Dr Martin Seligman has discovered, practised and taught, Through the use of exhaustive questionnaires, he found that the “the most satisfied and upbeat people” are those who have discovered the secrets to happy lives and combined these with “signature strengths” such as “humanity, temperance, and persistence”. The energy that comes to you comes from being happy. You will find the joys of living. [1]
Happiness has three dimensions
Seligman’s conclusion is that happiness has three dimensions that can be cultivated. These are living a:
- Pleasant life
- Engaged life
- Meaningful life.
Pleasant life — give thanks each day
The pleasant life is achieved by learning to savour and appreciate such basic pleasures as companionship, the natural environment, and our bodily needs. For example, we can reflect on three happy things we have experienced or have received. We can remain happily in this stage or we can go on to experience the next dimension of the Good life.
Engaged life — practise your signature strengths
An engaged life is achieved through the discovery of our unique virtues and strengths, and using these creatively to enhance our lives. We are inbued with a positive flow of energy as we engage our strengths to serve ourselves and to serve others. We become motivated as we achieve with these strengths. The strengths can come from our hands, our heads, and/ or our hearts. We are no longer bored in this stage of life. You are flourishing. [2]
Meaningful life — contribute to the community
At the stage of meaningful life, we find a deep sense of fulfillment by employing our unique strengths for a purpose greater than ourselves. We contribute to the community.
The glass stops being half empty
We begin to feel that the glass is not half empty but is half full; and we will gladly work to fill it to the brim because we have found the needed energy to fill the glass. We can.
Take home message
Get the energy we lack by the living in pursuit of the three dimensions of happiness — live a pleasant life, live an engaged life, and live a meaningful life . You discover the joys of living and you are no longer tired all the time. We can.
References
- Seligman, Martin. The pursuit of happiness, 2016.
- Seligman, Martin. Flourish: Positive Psychology and Positive Interventions. The Tanner Lectures on Human Values. Delivered at the University of Michigan, Oct 7, 2010.
Dr LG Goh
Dr GOH Lee Gan is a retired Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, National University Health System. He has an interest in learning and teaching how we can age well everyday (AWE).
