Of the two main sources of joy in life, Happiness and Fulfillment, researchers are discovering that what we often think of as happiness may be the least important. Understanding these two different foundations of enjoyment and engaging both on a daily basis will increase your positive sense of life and ongoing well-being.
Eudaimonia as used by Aristotle in the “Good Life “ includes feeling happy, amused and enjoying the immediate satisfying pleasures of the senses. It also represented much more. In addition to “feeling well”, it also included “doing well” and the resulting sense of fulfillment, well being and purpose. The satisfaction of a job well done, a union well shared, a child well raised or a life well lived. These two concepts make up what we refer to as the joy or enjoyment of life.
The importance of this enjoyment segmentation into what I call Happiness and Fulfillment, has become increasingly apparent as an array of research has shown a clear link between understanding these two distinctive joys of life and our ongoing well being and balance.
Growing evidence indicates that the Fulfillment component, derived from doing well and acting with a sense of purpose, creates even more physical, emotional and mental benefits for you than just the feel good Happiness state.
Modern Science Begins to Catch Up With Aristotle
The latest and longest running studies show that individuals who live with a focused sense of purpose have better mental health, live longer and retain sharper cognitive skills than those who concentrate most on feeling happy. The research reflects consistently similar outcomes over various adult age groups from college students to the elderly.
For example clear findings of increased depression and paranoia have been linked to a growing cultural emphasis on happiness derived from materialism, position or fame, and a reduced focus on purpose and the meaning in life.
A seven year study showed that participants who reported a lower sense of life purpose developed Alzheimer’s disease at double the rate of those reporting a higher sense of purpose. Additionally those with a greater life purpose had more physical mobility and mental acuity, functioning better in areas from managing money to climbing stairs.
The sense of fulfillment, well being, and satisfaction produced from pursuing a valued purpose is an important contributor to each of our lives. Neglecting it puts our enjoyment of life in peril.
Some think that winning the lottery or inheriting great wealth would end their worries and fill their life with joy. Research and life experience show that for many, the outcome is just the opposite. Removal of a chosen or necessary purpose, like making a living, can undermine life satisfaction if another meaningful purpose is not found and pursued.
If by choice or circumstances you deny yourself or others the challenges that create a sense of purpose, you are undermining a principal source of joy and well-being in your life.
What Does This Mean For You?
Enjoying life does not mean feeling elated all the time. Many things may not make you “ha-ha” happy, certainly not in the moment, but they can make you feel fulfilled and purposeful. So there is important joy derived from completing a task you had to push yourself through because at the time you didn’t feel well or it was tedious. There is reward in disciplining a child whose disdain for you in the moment is obvious. There should be fulfillment in taking risks that may turn out wrong, but were measured and thought through; in doing your best, even when the outcome wasn’t what you’d hoped for. There is and should be pride in trying.
So too there is certainly the sense of purpose and fulfillment derived from successful accomplishment…if you take notice. There are important moments of well being when you can look around and see what you have accomplished, contributed, learned. How you have grown and become wiser. When individual and common goals are pursued and often attained. Absorb the joy offered up with those purposeful achievements by mentally and emotionally recognizing you did good.
And you certainly should indulge yourself in the simple and sensual smiles and happiness moments as well. The two types of enjoyment are not at odds but in fact compliment and multiply each other. Celebrate both: the fulfillment of doing well and the happiness of feeling well.
Fulfillment and Happiness are the two multipliers of your enjoyment equation. The resulting product is not only more joy, but a healthier, longer and more productive life. Do the necessary things to warrant both, and then…dwell a little while on each. Focus on what you’ve done well and let a sense of fulfillment sink in. Look too for the opportunities to feel well, for the happy moments, the smiles, the laughs that are there for the taking and sharing. In doing so you are weaving the joy of both fulfillment and happiness into the fabric of your everyday life. I expect you deserve it.
