Formula for Happiness

Where science meets spirituality there is a formula for happiness.  Deepak Chopra, in his book, "The Ultimate Happiness Prescription", sets forth a formula for happiness.  Happiness = Set Point, (S) + Conditions of Living, (C) + Voluntary Activities, (V).  When I read this, I immediately connected to the idea of a formula for happiness, being a logical left-brain thinker.  Wow...can I really achieve happiness using a formula?  Well, as I read on, it gets more complicated, but still I can totally relate to the concept.

My sister and I in Bali - it took much cognitive therapy to find this waterfall, negative thoughts,"we're on the wrong trail", had to be overcome, pushed aside, to yes, achieve happiness through this personal pleasure!

Set Point, (S), is your state of mind and is said to account for 40% of your overall happiness. You begin life with a set point that is genetically predisposed, you may have more or less tendency toward happiness.  You can alter this point with drugs, meditation or cognitive therapy. Drugs are a quick, short-term alteration that have many side effects.  Unfortunately drugs is the choice that some people make, I guess because it is an easy quick fix.  Taking the time and effort to work through the other methods, meditation and cognitive therapy, will result in a long-term adjustment to your set point. 

Meditation is quieting your mind and going inward.  It does not have to be a formal sit-down exercise, it could be simply taking the time to yourself, to clear the cob-webs and re-boot.  Meditation activates the pre-frontal cortex stimulating the release of naturally occurring brain chemicals.  These brain chemicals, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and opiates have been linked to different aspects of happiness.  "No single drug can simultaneously choreograph the coordinated release of all these chemicals." (The Ultimate Happiness Prescription)

Cognitive therapy refers re-programming your brain by changing your limiting beliefs.  Start to think and perceive in positive tones.  Is the glass half empty or half full?  Attack negative thoughts by finding something positive, or just let them go.  Believe in yourself, adjust the story in  your head to a more positive plot.

Playstation in Bali -  Happiness is on everyone's face in Bali!

Conditions of Living, the second factor in the formula for happiness, is an easy one to understand.  It is where a lot of people spend their time and effort and is of the least importance.  It accounts for only 10% of your overall happiness.  It is your quality of life, your surroundings, basically the material world.  Money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure helps!  This old saying that everyone has heard repeated many times, holds true in this formula. 

My creative expression of Venice Beach, Bali.

Voluntary Activities, (v), are the choices we make every moment of every day of our lives.  Action to bring personal pleasure, creative expression or happiness to others are said to account for up to 50% of our overall happiness.  Personal pleasure is anything we choose to do that brings us pleasure.  Going to the movies, traveling, walking in the forest, snorkeling, playing a sport.  Creative expression is an activity that is purely for the purpose of expressing your creative side.  Bringing happiness to others is any action that is self-less and is said to be the longest lasting form of happiness. 
Suffering is the counterpart to happiness, it is part of life.  The key is to adapt and find a way back to happiness and not dwell on your suffering.  Let go of the "woe is me" attitude as quickly as possible and return to the formula for happiness.
H =  40% S +  10% C +  50% V
"As Darwin said, the most important factor in survival is neither intelligence nor strength, but adaptability."