An eye-opening perspective on happiness

So, what really is happiness?

Is it the warm sun on your face?
Is it the feeling of appreciation for good company?
Is it the celebration at the finish line of long race?

I was recently listening to an interesting book, in which the author shared the following three forms of happiness; pleasure, grace, and excellence. The idea is that a complete picture of happiness is created by some combination of all three of these. 

B. Weist says,
"There are three primary forms of happiness, the happiness of pleasure, the happiness of grace and the happiness of excellence.
The happiness of pleasure is largely sensory like a hug, a good meal when hungry or the smell of air after it rains.
The happiness of grace is gratitude, its basically like taking inventory of what you do have.
The happiness of excellence is like falling in love with the hike, the meaningful work and its flow, this builds character."

To expand, the happiness of pleasure, is the sensory experiences of life that bring you joy, make you pause and notice something, or make you sigh or smile. Think of something that brings pleasure to each of your senses!

The happiness of grace, is how you express gratitude and appreciation for what's around you. It's the opposite of patterns of lack, but embracing the abundance you already have here and now, be that as small as clothing and water to as large as a way that you contribute positively, a supportive network and the freedoms you have.

The happiness of excellence, is about the journey rather than the destination, who you become when you commit to something outside of your comfort zone or something challenging. It could be a physical activity, or it could be the steadfast commitment to respectfully parenting your children. Attaining an education, or learning a language or musical instrument!

If you'd like to bring more happiness into life, here's a few simple exercises to get the most of this awareness:

💜 Note: which forms of happiness are most present in your life today?
💜 Specifically: how is the happiness of pleasure, grace, and excellence experienced in your life?
💜 Note: which forms of happiness are not present in your life? 
💜 Ask: how can I practice these forms of happiness?
💜 Ask: might this practice bring more wholeness to my life's experience?


And most importantly, where can you create happiness today?
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In gratitude & good health, 
Dr. Jessica