Quickly, think about one of the happiest moments in your life.
Don’t overthink it.
What came to your mind first?
When I’m asked that question, I go to moments like…
When my daughter was born.
My first date with my fiance.
Watching the sunset in Riomaggiore (one of the villages in Cinque Terra, Italy).
Did you think of something similar?
A moment with a loved one?
An unforgettable experience?
Witnessing something breathtaking?
An ongoing study which started in 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network titled “The World Happiness Report” includes a global survey that measures well-being and happiness through self-reported data from over 100,000 individuals in more than 150 countries.
Respondents are asked about their most fulfilling experiences and what contributes to their life satisfaction.
Consistently, respondents reported that the most joyful moments in life involve spending time with loved ones and moments of deep connection or celebration.
Why is that the case for almost all of us?
From my research and experience working with thousands of people all over the world…
There are two consistent factors in these experiences.
1. You Forget About Yourself
When you experience these unforgettable moments, you aren’t thinking about yourself, are you?
You are fully immersed in the experience, deeply present, and not caught in self-absorbed thoughts about the past or future.
2. You Are CONNECTED
Whether with another person or nature, you are deeply connected in these moments.
The beauty of the landscape or the shared moment with a loved one feels as if you are no longer separate from your environment.
Consider the contrast…
When you’re thinking about yourself…
And when you are disconnected from your environment…
You get stuck.
So the takeaway here is to let go of your self-absorbed thoughts…
To make an earnest effort to stay connected to those around you and your environment…
So you can live a happier, more fulfilled life.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to stay connected)