One of the things that most people struggle with, I think, is happiness and how to attain it. I wrote a popular blog post about this subject which you can read here.
This is most definitely connected to our vocation, lifestyle choices and geographical base. We cannot, however, separate these factors from our internal, spiritual state: our thoughts, feelings and emotions. We are total beings encompassing physical, emotional, intellectual, psychosocial and spiritual dimensions. We are complex beings.
In the past, in pre-industrialized societies, people, when not in fight-or-flight mode, had the luxury of the time needed to reflect. I can imagine a caveman at night, squatting on the ground in front of his cave, wearing animal skin coverings, looking up at the starry sky and wondering. Pondering.
Nature is a ripe environment for doing this. Reflection, I posit, goes a long way in helping us understand where we might be ‘off’ and need readjustment. Reflection helps us pinpoint those areas of our lives that need change. Arianna Huffington, in her Sleep Revolution, encourages us to sleep more so that we can be healthier, happier and more harmonious. The logical conclusion is that if we sleep more, we’ll be more productive, too.
This is not to say that we should focus on the harmony/productivity ratio. Our focus, rather, should be on self-reflection or, self-analysis which, in turn, will help us readjust appropriately, ultimately positively affecting the harmony/productivity ratio in our life. Productivity, I believe, is a byproduct of a harmonious life. When we’re harmonious, we’re more productive. When we’re happy, we’re more creative.
Creativity and Productivity
Creativity is intimately connected to productivity. A robot, for example, can be excellently programmed and provide delightful companionship as well as assist people–as is happening today in Japan and elsewhere–but it is only as creative as its programmers.
So, how do we become creative? What do we need to do in order to tap into creativity and not be ‘robotic’?
It’s a state of mind
Everything is psychological, a state of mind. In our quest for harmony and happiness, it all boils down to what we think and what we believe. Do you tend to be negative or positive? Do you see the glass half empty or half full?
Happiness is attainable and within our reach right now.
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Originally published at LinkedIn.