Happiness as a Phenomena - Essay Example

Life is not perfect as evident by many challenges individuals meet in their life. These challenges include the satisfaction of physiological needs, safety, love, and self-esteem. All of which serve as the motivation for the individual to strive for self-actualization which is the basis of true happiness. To begin with, however, the person has to take care of his body and mind. A person has to satisfy his physiological and psychosocial needs then continue to meet his self-esteem and finally self-actualization. In each of these cases, people should have the determination to work it out to be able to be successful at this level.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when the lower needs are satisfied, there is the possibility that the individual may move on to the next level of need contributing to happiness. Thus, lower needs have to be maintained. A disturbance in one area may lead to disequilibrium which may result in an unhappy life (Suddarth, p 4). A person who is deprived of food cannot be able to understand what love means. The absence of this may undermine the individual’s psychosocial capacity to be happy and share happiness with others. This goes with the idea that if a person is hungry is likely to be angry.

Self-actualization leads to contentment which defines happiness in a deeper sense. People who are satisfied with what they have done in their life are a true picture of happiness. Meaning, they are free of regrets, burdens, frustrations and dissatisfactions regardless of what they had achieved. This could be displayed in their disposition. Happy people tend to enjoy their life to the fullest. You can see them visit places, appreciate nature and life and almost work for the community and not for them or their family anymore.

The image of being self-actualized however according to Maslow had been attained by few because it is difficult to do so with the many hindrances brought by society. However, this does not mean there is no happiness to the person who is not self-actualized. Happiness depends also on the individual’s acceptance of his own achievements. Individuals who accept the reality in their life are observed to be happy no matter what they had become.

Although happiness can be defined in many ways, people who agree with Maslow’s need theory in defining happiness are displaying the true essence of it. Happiness could also result when one is satisfied with her current life and accepts it whether it is successful or not. Read More