Are You Searching For Happiness?
I first came across the Johari Window on my very first management training course way back in the 80s. It's a technique created in 1955 by two American psychologists, Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, used to help people better understand their relationship with self and others. It became a very popular self-development tool.
You may like to check it out if you’re interested.
However that's not what this blog is about! So why do I mention it you ask?
It popped into my head this morning when I was thinking about writing this blog about searching for happiness. Taking inspiration from the Johari Window I have come up with a new version that I call the “Happiness Window”.
I first came across the Johari Window on my very first management training course way back in the 80s. It's a technique created in 1955 by two American psychologists, Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, used to help people better understand their relationship with self and others. It became a very popular self-development tool.
You may like to check it out if you’re interested.
However that's not what this blog is about! So why do I mention it you ask?
It popped into my head this morning when I was thinking about writing this blog about searching for happiness. Taking inspiration from the Johari Window I have come up with a new version that I call the “Happiness Window”.
In the Happiness Window there are 4 states - each representing a different relationship between ourselves and happiness.
Unconsciously unhappy
In the unconsciously unhappy state we live our life on a day to day basis doing what we do without giving much thought to happiness. In Scotland we have an expression for this - "doing away" or in other words "I'm doing ok". When we're in this state we often do not notice opportunities that come along. We just keep on going, keep on doing. Whether we're happy or not - no one really knows.
Consciously unhappy
When we are in the consciously unhappy state we have taken stock of our life and realised that it is not how we would like it to be. We are aware that deep down inside us things do not feel good. We may have been striving for happiness but it never seems to come our way. Something always goes wrong. In this state we may not be very sure what we can do to change things. We frequently get down-hearted and wish our life was different.
Consciously happy
Now let's consider how things are in the consciously happy state. We are positive thinkers. We set out our goals and actively focus on getting them. We are often found searching out new ways to make our life happier. Maybe we will get a better job, buy a new car, have a holiday in the sun, find a new partner, go on a diet or take more exercise. The list goes on as we actively work at creating happiness in our lives.
Unconsciously happy
Finally we come to the unconsciously happy state. When we are here we sail through life with ease. We don't have to think about it. We feel joyful, full of life and energy. We have an inner calmness with a deep sense of purpose and find our life totally fulfilling. We sleep like a baby! We are in harmony with ourselves, with others and the universe. We love being who we are and love the life we live.
Can you relate to these different states of happiness?
Which one are you in right now in your life?
Which one would you like to be in?
Now, here is the amazing thing.
Guess which one we were in when we were born?
Yes you're right. We were all unconsciously happy - obliviously, beautifully, wonderfully happy.
Think what this means. Every single one of us has been in this glorious state of true happiness before. And if we've been there before then we can be there again! We all have the ability to be happy because we were born with it.
There is nothing to learn, no new skill to develop. No seach to be made. All that has happened is that we have forgotten how to be happy. It's time to remember again.