It is human nature to always push boundaries, to strive for more, to learn more and grow more so it comes as no surprise that just to be happy, doesn't seem to be what people want anymore. Not that we want to be unhappy either. The next quest in personal development is not for happiness, of the 'cheery demeanor' but a more rounded and complete sense of happy- in all facets of life; a sense of total well-being. But to put it in the more luscious terms of the father of 'positive psychology' Martin Seligman: we want to be 'flourishing'.
The idea of happiness spread quickly from it's initial conception by Seligman in 1998 to governments keen to improve the 'gross domestic happiness' of their citizens, on the understanding that happier people were more productive, more healthy, less of a burden on the welfare system, more likely to invest in the economy etc etc. It does not seem like rocket science when it is put like this.
Neither is it surprising that societies and governments who are most interested in increasing levels of well-being within their population are those which have the highest levels of depression and dissatisfaction. But is it surprising then, that is it the societies who have previously been driven by economic and material wealth, with a majority population who say that they are happy when they have a good job and nice car and big house, that are now finding themselves the most unhappy and the most fervent in their search for that 'something' that will help them to feel fulfilled, well and healthy?
It seems to be a slow dawning realisation for some that there is a 'whole' person that needs to be looked after and which needs to be well. And by well, it can be read as having total well-being. It is not enough to be focused on the material and economic aspects of our existence.
- Health is clearly fundamental but often a long way down the list- until we don't have it.
- Our connections to and relationships with others plays a huge part in contributing to our feelings of well-being.
- A sense of personal AND societal purpose and direction also has to be present to gain more well-being.
- Understanding your values and your place in the world coupled with the sense of freedom to follow those convictions also stands equally in the line-up.
- A sense of spirituality is also fundamental: in which ever form this may take for you, having a belief that there is more 'out there' than you and what you can see, hear, feel, or touch.
The idea is to be able to nurture all aspects of the 'whole' person and have balance between them all to gain total well-being, in order to flourish. And also to understand that by the time one of these components is lacking or 'broken', you have a much harder hill to climb than if you see your total well-being as a maintenance project: that prevention is better than cure.
By giving yourself a chance to be physically well, to be emotionally well, to be mentally well, to be spiritually well, you are investing in your future but you are also allowing yourself the opportunity to flourish- now! Total well-being is not a new concept for many, particularly those involved in making well-being part of their own lives but bringing it to others' lives. For well-being to be more of the everyday, for everyone, it needs to be valued.But what is more valuable than living a flourishing life?.
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