On New Year’s, many of us are likely to set resolutions aimed at personal improvement, such as committing to more exercise, better nutrition, or reducing screen time, while often neglecting moral resolutions.
A Resolution for Happiness
I propose a resolution that encompasses both moral and personal growth, impacting everyone we encounter:
Be happier.
It’s striking that so few people choose this resolution. While nearly everyone desires happiness, very few decide to actively pursue it. Why? Unlike our health and finances, many believe happiness is out of our control. However, the reality is that we usually have more influence over our happiness than we do over our health or financial status. It may actually be easier to achieve happiness than to, for example, lose weight, which is a common New Year’s goal.
You cannot pretend to be thinner, nor can you act your way to wealth. But when it comes to happiness, the simplest and most significant step you can take is just to act happy.
The Challenge of Pursuing Happiness
You might wonder, if it’s so straightforward, why doesn’t everyone embrace it?
Three points come to mind. First, happiness isn’t solely an emotion.
Happiness is predominantly a mindset or attitude. In fact, the less you define it by your feelings, the happier you can become.
Second,
happiness is a choice rather than a spontaneous occurrence. As Abraham Lincoln, who endured immense personal loss and a war-torn nation, stated, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Third, the belief that we shouldn’t act in a certain manner unless we feel inclined can lead to negative outcomes if applied in other areas of life. If we only went to work when we felt like it, we would lose every job. If we cared for our crying children only when we desired to, they would be removed from our custody. If we only ate what we wanted, we would likely face obesity. If we opted to give to charity only when it suited us, generosity would plummet.
There’s no reason to exempt happiness from this principle.
The Ripple Effect of Acting Happy
Acting happy not only enhances your own well-being, but it also positively influences those around you.
That’s why choosing to act happy is a moral duty.
Consistently behaving in an unhappy manner is a form of selfishness that can harm children, disrupt marriages, and damage friendships.
Some individuals may struggle to find happiness, but nearly everyone can at least pretend to be happier.
A Vital Insight about Happiness
If you’re feeling down, remember this: Most people you encounter who appear joyful have likely faced as much, if not more, hardship than you. They have merely made a conscious choice not to burden others with their pain.
For a compelling five-minute overview on the importance of appearing happy, even when you don’t feel that way, visit prageru.com, navigate to the “Psychology” section, and click on the course titled “Happiness Is a Moral Obligation.”
And may your New Year be filled with happiness.
