Lunchtime conversation last week:
Friend: Have you seen this new online program on happiness? I saw it on Good Morning America. It’s pretty cool, and quite similar to your membership site, but there’s no interaction with a therapist or a coach. It’s all digital. Oh, and the design is really tight…
Me: Digital happy-making, I see. Nothing against any program to improve our collective stress levels, and get us to savor positive experiences, but in the end, it sounds like the online version of a self-help book. Mindless clicking away is not going to give you direction when you’re stuck. The problem is you’re left to your own devices which can leave you feeling lost and confused if you don’t feel better after trying different exercises. Unhappy people experience enough “lost and confused” as it is…
Friend: So you’re saying people shouldn’t be left to their own devices?
Me: Not at all. We all have options for how, when and where we get our personal development. I’m skeptical if no one’s leading the ship.
Friend: Are you kidding me? They have a team of researchers, advisors, and investors. Plus, the design’s really cool.
Me: Thanks, I got that design bit. Happiness is big business. My point here is — and yes, it’s biased since I’ve never used this program: You can’t hack your way to happiness. You don’t gain true insight into why you think the way you do, and why you keep having the same relationships and the same reactions day in and day out if you don’t have insight into what causes you to behave like this in the first place.
Friend: So you’re saying this is a sham?
Me: No!! Again, anything that helps you get over a negative mood or a bad spell is alright in my book. But here’s the rub, if this program doesn’t teach you the most important aspect of happiness, and that is how to resolve internal conflict, then ongoing emotional well-being will never be yours.
Friend: Why do you always bring negativity into happiness?
Me: You call it negativity. I call it reality.
Friend: Maybe some of us are just wired to be more positive.
Me: And some of us are not. And that my friend, is the point of Team Happy.
You can always start over.
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If you’re up to trying something new to increase positive emotions, while learning how to think differently, Team Happy may be what you’re looking for.
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“Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.” ~Buddhist proverb
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