What’s your Happiness Potential?

Happiness… we all want it.  Many of us don’t really know what it is.  Some of us know it deeply.

I was one of those people that chased it for years.  I had gotten so disconnected from it that I truly had no idea what made me happy.  It basically mostly seemed impossible for years, maybe decades.  Then things started to change… slowly… sometimes with much surprise…  and I started to discover it within myself.  I’ve been blessed with many happy moments in the last decade.   Yet, if I’m honest, I still have moments where I know I’m not living at my happiness potential.

Are you living at your Happiness Potential? 

Our ancestors knew it was so important that they declared we had an inalienable right to pursue it in our countries Declaration of Independence!  That’s always made be curious… since, at least during times in our lives, it can remain elusive.  So what is your happiness potential?

For me, it’s really a trend or a flow.  It feels like my happiness potential is really the percentage of time in my life I could actually be happy.  When I put it like that… my happiness potential is truly 100%, and yet, even with all my optimism and skills, that feels like an aggressive goal… and I’m tired of pushing myself.  (And, I’ve learned that very pushing, driving, going-for-it takes me OUT of my happiness, even when my mind thinks I’m moving toward it!)  With that, I’m declaring my current Happiness Potential 80%… so ideally, whether I’m working, cleaning, driving, hiking, making love or anything in between, my desire is to feel genuinely happy 80% of the time.  (When I do that consistently I’ll bump my desire up to 90%).

Where would you set your Happiness Potential today?  50%? 30%? 75%? 90%? 

I suggest spending some time reflecting on, in your current day-to-day life, how often you find yourself happy.  Then, I suggest nudging that percentage up a little and setting that as your current happiness potential.  Like me, I suggest you don’t push yourself too much as that could very well have the opposite effect than the one you desire!   Then start exploring… ‘What makes you happy?’

What makes you happy?

If you don’t know, it’s ok.  Just start exploring… slowly, gently, with the curiosity of a child.  (By the way, children are great teachers in this area!  Most of them still live a pretty high happiness potential!)

Here are some things I’ve gotten the privilege of experiencing recently… Without trying recently I’ve had the blessings to be exposed to new research and teachings in the area of happiness.   About 3 weeks ago, when I was crashed out on the sofa not feeling good, I watched the most ‘Happy‘ on Netflix.  It was really insightful.  In some way, I was especially moved by the laughter of a family in Louisiana.  I recommend watching it.

Then, this past weekend, I got to attend a workshop here in Boulder presented by a Russian business consultant called, Happiness in Action.  He’s found ‘Seven Sources of Happiness in Action’ and I learned some very interesting things about myself and my life as I explored these 7 sources.   I can say I definitely believe my Happiness Potential went up last weekend.  Thank you Phillip!  If you’d like to read a bit about these 7 sources, check out Phillip’s English website http://happinessinaction.ru/en/program/,

The pursuit of happiness is worth it.  I know the journey very well.  It wasn’t always easy and it’s been tremendously worth it.

Set your Happiness Potential and then playfully pursue it! 

And, if I can help in any way, please let me know!

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In love, light and ecstasy,