The Art of Happiness: Rainbow Watching vs. Sun Staring

In the field of happiness studies, Tal Ben-Shahar (Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University in 2004) is an expert who emphasizes the acceptance of painful emotions as an integral part of living a happy life.
Contrary to the misconception that happiness equals a constant state of joy, he advocates understanding and accepting the full spectrum of emotions.
Ben-Shahar introduces the concept of antifragility, drawing parallels between physical and psychological resilience. He emphasizes the idea that our psychological well-being, like our muscular system, can exhibit antifragile traits, growing stronger in response to pressure and stress.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) emerges as a prime example of psychological resilience. PTG represents the ability to grow stronger in the face of adversity.
The science of happiness seeks to identify the conditions that foster such growth from adversity, ultimately contributing to greater resilience and well-being. This paradigm shift challenges the conventional pursuit of happiness and encourages individuals to seek happiness indirectly by focusing on its components.

Ben-Shahar uses the analogy of sunlight to illustrate the indirect pursuit of happiness. The direct pursuit of happiness can lead to harmful results, much like staring at the sun can cause damage to the eyes. Instead, breaking happiness down into its different component parts allows individuals to savor and enjoy the indirect pursuit of happiness, ultimately increasing overall happiness.
The SPiRe model, which encompasses spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional well-being, serves as a framework for triggering the antifragile system that promotes holistic happiness.

Each component of the SPiRe model plays a critical role in promoting happiness and resilience. Spiritual well-being includes finding purpose and meaning in life, which empowers individuals to overcome obstacles and challenges. Physical well-being emphasizes the importance of stress management and recovery, and highlights the detrimental effects of chronic stress on overall health. Intellectual engagement and curiosity not only contribute to happiness, but have also been linked to increased longevity. Quality relationships emerge as the cornerstone of relational well-being, serving as a key predictor of happiness and resilience. Finally, emotional well-being involves the embrace of painful emotions and the cultivation of gratitude, illustrating that happiness transcends mere pleasure and encompasses the entirety of one's being.

In sum, the pursuit of happiness is a dynamic and nuanced journey that resides on a continuum rather than a binary state. By acknowledging the impermanence of happiness, individuals can foster resilience and growth in the face of adversity. Through the SPiRe model and an understanding of the indirect pursuit of happiness, individuals can strive for holistic well-being that encompasses the full spectrum of emotions and experiences. Ultimately, the pursuit of happiness is not about seeking an endpoint of perpetual joy, but rather about embracing the ebb and flow of life and learning to make the best of each situation.

*You can learn more about Tal Ben-Shahr and his work right here: Happinessstudies Academy

Best regards
-Gatlin Crawford