Deepak Chopra shared this insight into happiness as a meeting of Harvard MBA’s last year. When asked if money and success brings happiness, he responded with this happiness formula.
H = S + C + V
This is how he explained what the elements meant from his perspective:
S = Is your set point or overall attitude to life. Do you see problems or opportunities? You didn’t ask to be here. Its a big mystery that you are here. Be grateful and embrace life as one full of opportunities. Gratitude resets the set point. This attitude accounts for 50% of your level of happiness
C = Are the conditions of living or financial security. Lottery winners are ecstatic for the first 6 months after winning. And in a year are back to where they were before winning. In 5 years they are more likely to be more miserable as they are become obsessed with their money making more money. Whether you have too much, or too little money, don’t let it take over your life. You won’t have time to live it. This accounts for 10% of your level of happiness
V = Are the voluntary choices or actions you take. Every day you can make a choice. You can choose between pleasure or fulfillment. Pleasure is fun and brings fleeting happiness. Choosing something with meaning brings fulfillment and long lasting happiness. This accounts for 40% of your level of happiness.
Deepak Chopra then goes on on say that fulfillment, meaning and following a higher calling comes down to asking yourself one simple question.
Are you able to make others happy?
He then answers this by saying we positively impact the lives of others by following the 4 A’s
Attention. Listen to others. Give them the gift of your attention.
Appreciation. Notice others strengths and abilities and tell them how much you appreciate what they do.
Affection. Let others know you care.
Acceptance. Accept others. Don’t try to change them.
Can you imagine how his words impacted this audience of future financial and business leaders?
Be grateful. See life as an amazing opportunity.
Live your life. Don’t be obsessed with money.
Try to make others happy every day by following the 4 A’s.
YES 😎
Now take a moment to think about the actions you take during the day. Ask yourself “How can I live more from a place of gratitude and bring awareness to the 4A’s”? Pretty powerful …
* You can see the full presentation on The Future Of Well Being, over at Evolutionary Mystic by clicking here.
Great post Val. Those four A’s are marvellous principles to live by. They’re a formula for happiness in themselves.
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When I came across them I thought the same Don! The perfect post-it note reminder for living in peace 💛
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This post is absolutely awesome!
I loved every single line of it, great job! x
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Thank you Julia! So glad it resonated with you today. xo
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Hi Val, thanks for a thought-provoking post. I’m amazed that C accounts for just 10% of happiness. I can’t but wonder how this percentage was arrived at, especially when I ponder all those living in absolute poverty in both First World and Third World societies.
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It does make you think Jean doesn’t it … Thanks!
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Love this! I believe biological set point (we call it attitude) is key. You can overcome a lot of things with this. (Although I would like to win the lottery just to prove him wrong!)
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(SMILE) me too Kate !
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this one
is the number
needed to
bring a smile
to my happiness 🙂
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🙂
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An attitude of gratitude goes a long way to filling our hearts with enthusiasm for whatever awaits us around the bend.
Have a great weekend, Val ~> hope it holds enough uncertainty to add spice to your life . . . without giving you heartburn. 😛
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Fabulous!
Interesting comment re C and those living in third world countries — generally, research shows that their experience of happiness is more profound than first world — their value for happiness is not set on what they have, but on the relationships that make their lives meaningful.
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Thanks Louise. I was thinking just the same from my experience in Africa. Belonging and human connection bring such joy! xo
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Good wisdom – love it! ❤ Happy weekend, Val!
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Me too! Thank you Eliza 🙂
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Great post, Val. He is saying once again that if you change your attitude you can change your life. I love this!
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Yes indeed Carol – its within us all 🙂
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I give this post four A’s, Val.
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A+Ann 🙂
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Fabulous reminder of what is easily forgotten, one has to love oneself before being able to love another. Can’t recall if I have previously written here something I heard a couple of weeks ago. Namely: Listen to others with the intent to understand, not with the intent to respond. Gets to the heart of three of those As. Best wishes to all.
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Thank you Paul. Listening to understand is a real gift! xo
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Love it!
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Thanks Amy! Me too 💛
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I love this post Val and believe that our attitude is so important for our lives 😀
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Thanks Irene! I agree 💛
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This is wonderful Val. There is a lot to be happy about everyday..:)
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Yes indeed Karen. I’m happy you are here!
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I love it, Val!! Incredible insights…amazing formulas…we should all take heed and then dance in the light that is created!!! Best wishes for an incredible Sunday!! ❤
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Thank you for your loving energy and kind words Lorrie! May you have a heart warming Sunday ❤️
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I will try doing this every day as a way of life! I just found your blog, and I am super inspiring, It is a beautiful place you have here!! I can truly identify with a lot of your posts. I genuinely look forward to reading through more of your content and I’ll be following you! which you a Happy Day! ❤
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Thank you so much! May you continue to find inspiration here and in your daily living 🙂
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Thank you so much Magny for stopping by and the follow. I’m so glad you are here! I look forward to more connection. xo
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Val I love every bit of this post. Thank you love the four A’s too.
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Glad you enjoyed it Kath 🙂
The 4 A’s are pretty awesome aren’t they!
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The four A’s are great, particularly accepting others, I reckon that’s very important. We all have flaws – nobody is perfect, accept your friends and family for who they truly are, shrug of their shortcomings, don’t dwell on them, they’re just human.
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They are human. And so are we! Easy to forget the connection 🌞
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Yes we are just mere humans, no more no less. 🙂
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