In your life, how many moments of pleasure multiplied by moments of meaning will you experience? We don't know and it's really hard to calculate (even GPT does not know). What we do know it that the more you have of both, the happier you are. But what does happiness really mean and where does it come from?
Apparently, chance. The word "happy" comes from the Old Norse word "happ," which means luck. For the old folks happiness was originally associated with external circumstances that were outside of our control. Let’s be honest, in those days, most of life was outside their control. They must’ve been a happy bunch!
As we navigate through our complex world, we have come to understand that happiness is the relationship we are able to strike with luck or chance. In fact, embracing randomness and the concept of the black swan, as explored by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, teaches us that sometimes, it is the unexpected moments that bring us the most joy and fulfilment. It is important to understand that most of the time we are not in control.
Researchers have developed different methods of measuring happiness, including the Happiness Index. Interestingly, the happiest countries and communities are not always the wealthiest or most prosperous, but rather those that place a high value on social connections and a sense of community. We would go further and bet that these are also the countries where there is more touch between individuals.
How long we will live is directly related to the relationships we have. Studies (yes, don’t take our word for it, take Harvard’s) have found that people who have close relationships with friends and family live longer and healthier lives than those who are more isolated. This is because social connections provide us with a sense of purpose and meaning. They help us to navigate difficult times and cope with stress. They’re there for the cuddles. The secret to happiness really lies in relationships.
In today's world however, our relationships are often spread out over great distances, which can make it difficult to maintain meaningful, not to mention pleasurable, connections. This is why bridging distance is so important to ensure we are happier. That’s why we created Bond Touch or companies like Ixu Bear have created their cuddly bears. By staying in touch with loved ones, no matter where they are in the world, we can continue to build and strengthen our relationships, in spite of distance.
Happiness is a simple equation, but it requires a holistic approach. We must look beyond external circumstances and focus on the internal factors that truly impact our happiness, such as our relationships and sense of community. By embracing randomness, investing in social connections, and bridging distance, we can create a life that is rich in both pleasure and meaning, leading to a happier and more fulfilling existence. It can be done, in fact, we are doing it right now, aren’t we?
Your Bond Touch Team
