December is here...Christmas on the way and a holiday break to reflect on the year passing and a chance to think about what you really desire for your life? When I ask coaching clients.. 'what do you desire?' A common initial response is..... 'I just want to be happy' This short essay examines how the society has conditioned us to think that #happiness is both a goal and a duty.... we should all be happy right? The UN has even made happiness a fundamental human right for all, and created an international happiness day. So whats the problem? "It is worth noting that in the USA, where positive psychology thrives and the happiness imperative is most prevalent, Americans account for two-thirds of the global market for antidepressants, which happen also to be the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. We live in an age of the Celebrated-Self where not to be positive, happy and successful is to not have a self at all - you become worthless, a nobody, an excluded exception to the social norm that demands either a celebrated-self or nothing!" So free yourself from the happiness imperative! You don't need to be happy all of the time! It's ok not to be happy!! Realising the double-bind the happiness imperative creates, let us rid ourselves of this perverse demand that encourages us to chase an illusory fantasy of always being happy and positive. Allowing yourself not to always feel positive/happy begins by telling the super-ego voice in your head to get back in its box! Then allow yourself to feel human with all that entails, accepting your limitations, welcoming into your life the sadness, grieving, loss, pain, love, hope, joy, contentment, confusion, satisfaction, boredom, frustration, melancholy and the ambivalence of many confusing feelings at once. To be fully human, is to experience life fully. When we do this a deeper satisfaction and contentment can be found, with moments of happiness https://lnkd.in/eAHK--aM
The “tyranny of the positive”! Just walked past a cafe sign saying GOOD VIBES ONLY. There is wisdom in Eeyore. 😁
Excelent thanks forcwise reflection
Love being human!
Deeply Human® Leadership Strategist, Executive Coach & Consultant | Helping Purpose-Led Leaders Create High Performance Cultures | Expert Facilitator | 'More to Life' Coach For Dissatisfied High Flyers | Keynote Speaker
9moWhile I know this to be true, I REALLY love how I feel when I read this. Thank you.