I’ve got pretty simple tastes. I don’t need the newest stuff. I don’t need the biggest stuff. I don’t need the most expensive stuff.
That being said, I still like stuff. I like stuff that’s important to me. Stuff that makes me feel good.
That’s the key to a happy life, right? Feeling good! There’s nothing better than waking up every morning feeling good and looking forward to what you get to do for the day. No worries anywhere.
When we feel good all is right with the world. When we don’t feel good, it’s a bummer.
There are five areas of life that can be affected in ways that either make us feel good or make us feel bad. In no particular order they are -
- health and fitness,
- relationships,
- money,
- spirituality, and
- work.
Not only can each of these areas have a positive or negative impact on the way we feel individually, they can also have an impact on one another that magnifies that impact.
For example, if our health and fitness are out of whack, our work is affected and maybe our money. If our relationships aren’t working well, there can be a negative effect on all the other areas of our life. If our work is going badly, our health, relationships and money can go south.
You get the picture.
The good news is that the positive versions of these examples are also true. That’s what we should shoot for, all 5 areas of our lives working together in harmony.
Fortunately, when one or more of these areas of our lives goes sideways there is a lot that can be done to correct the situation.
The first step is usually to take on the problem ourselves. We call upon our knowledge and our experience, and give it our best shot. If that works, cool! If we’re unsuccessful, we usually move on to low cost, non-threatening help. We read a book or two and maybe talk with trusted friends.
When our personal efforts fall short we eventually turn to the professionals. And, there are plenty to choose from.
In the health and fitness category there are doctors, dentists, chiropractors, mental health professionals, acupuncturists, nutritionists, physical therapists, personal trainers, and more.
For relationship help there are therapists and counselors of all kinds. If things in this area get really bad, there are mediators and attorneys that can help.
If the challenges are about money, there are investment counselors, financial planners, accountants, bankers, and credit counselors.
If our spiritual side needs some attention, we can go to members of the clergy, lay teachers and groups, spiritual leaders and philosophers.
If work is the issue, there are career counselors, career coaches, business consultants and coaches, and performance coaches.
When it comes to choosing a professional to help it’s very important that we feel comfortable with our choice and confident in his or her ability to help. The best results happen when you and the person or people you choose to help you work well together as a team.
The ultimate result is that for each one of us these five areas of life need to be in harmony with who we are as people. We’re all unique individuals and we should all be able to live in harmony with our lives.
This simple 5-part harmony formula is the absolute best way to be happy, feel good everyday, and achieve abundance in our lives.
Since the New Year is rapidly approaching it’s a great time to conduct an honest assessment of each of these areas of our lives.
If any of them are out of tune, make a plan and a commitment to get them back in harmony.
Jonathan Waller
December 28, 2010
I agree! I came to the same conclusion. Though I think number 3 is not money, but the wider topic of “feeling good about yourself”, of which having enough money is a part.
I made a table about this I think you’ll find interesting. Click on my link and go to “The five types of happiness – Table”
You’re the first page on the web I’ve found that refers to this 5-pillar system.
Brian
December 28, 2010
“Feeling good about yourself” falls under Relationships in my view. We have many categories of relationships – family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. The relationship we have with ourselves determines whether or not we feel good about ourselves regardless of whether or not we have money.
Jonathan Waller
December 28, 2010
Ok, so if we can be happy without money, it can’t be one of your pillars. What do you want to replace number 3 with?
Jonathan Waller
December 28, 2010
Yes, we’re saying the same thing. “feeling good about yourself” = “relationship to yourself”. So we either remove 3, including self in relationships, or change 3 to the relationship with yourself.
Sorry, not trying to be combative… just looking for The Answer.
Brian
December 28, 2010
It all comes down to points of view and the categories that make the most sense to you. Money could actually fit nicely under Relationships. Money itself isn’t a benefit or a problem for people, it’s their relationship with money. I chose to make Money a separate contributor to Happiness and Abundance because it’s a necessary tool used in the activities of life and it’s used by many as an indicator of success or failure.
I wish you luck looking for The Answer. This is just my take on things based on 20 plus years of helping people fit their careers and businesses to their lives rather than forcing their lives to fit their work. I’m not trying to change the world. Just offering a point of view for those that are interested.