Welcome to my first-ever blog post at GilOrtega.net! I'm excited to share my thoughts on a subject that's at the core of modern Western life: happiness, or sometimes, the lack thereof. It's a complex topic, but I believe it all boils down to a simple hierarchy of needs, a bit different from Maslow's, but inspired by his work nonetheless.

I think Maslow's theory still holds true today. In Western societies, we like to think we've moved beyond basic needs like food and shelter. But the reality is, many people are just one paycheck away from disaster. That fear of falling back to the bottom rung of the ladder is real, and it impacts our happiness in profound ways.

You'd think this fear would motivate us to take action, to build a safety net. After all, we're wired to avoid pain more than we seek pleasure. But the Covid lockdowns showed us how fragile our security can be, even for those with seemingly stable careers. Fear can be paralyzing, stealing our happiness and preventing us from reaching our full potential.

Before we dive deeper into the role of fear, let's talk about happiness itself. I believe happiness is the key to a successful life. It's subjective, of course, so each person gets to define what success means to them. But without a foundation of happiness, true fulfillment remains elusive.

Your intentions are a projection of what you want in the future. Intent contributes to your future happiness by providing a sense of positive purpose, fostering positive emotions, and promoting meaningful connections with others.

The practice of gratitude contributes significantly to people's happiness in the now, the present. Gratitude shifts attention to the good aspects of life, promoting a more optimistic outlook and increasing positive emotions. This helps counteract our natural tendency to focus on negatives or what we lack.

Forgiveness is sometimes the hardest thing to do. However, a person's willingness to forgive others contributes significantly to their happiness. Without forgiveness, happiness becomes difficult to attain. It's a must-do if you want to be happy. How do you do it? Well, there's not a single approach to this difficult issue. It's best to focus on what you can control in the present rather than dwelling on the past event that you can't change. Remember that forgiveness doesn't mean excusing actions or reconciling with the people.

Happiness starts with actions in your mindset before they become physical actions.

You’ve most likely heard the Serenity Prayer before. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” The beauty of these mindset actions is you control them.

Much research suggests that action is preceded by motivation. While these theories and approaches support the idea that action can precede and increase motivation, it's important to note that the relationship between action and motivation is often cyclical and complex. Both can influence each other.

Again, happiness is a subjective feeling you get to control. Of course, there are serious cases of clinical depression that need to be managed with professional help or medications. I’m referencing the average person struggling with success and happiness in their everyday lives.

The popular saying, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it,” is true in many ways. It highlights our power to shape our own experiences through our mindset and actions.

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love," says, "While it doesn't sound too exciting, I believe happiness is being 100% accountable for your life". This sentiment is echoed by many leaders I've talked to, emphasizing that personal accountability is a foundation for both success and happiness.

Accountability doesn't mean blaming yourself for everything but taking responsibility for one's actions, responses, and attitudes in any situation. By focusing on what can be controlled and committing to desired outcomes, individuals can navigate challenges more effectively and find greater life satisfaction.

Accountability and taking ownership of one's situation play crucial roles in personal happiness. They empower individuals, foster growth, improve relationships, and create a more positive and proactive approach to life's challenges.

The Energy of Being Average and Not

Let's delve into an interesting thought experiment about fear. Picture this graphic, representing "The Average American Life." It features three lines: the bottom line, signifying homelessness, the middle line depicting the average American life, and the top line symbolizing your wildest dreams.

Chasing Happiness

It's a curious paradox: the harder we chase happiness, the more elusive it seems to become. Whether it's money, success, or even happiness itself, relentlessly pursuing it can backfire. So how do we value happiness without falling into the trap of chasing it?

The answer lies in the conscious art of subjective reframing. It's about deliberately shifting our perspective to see situations in a more positive light. It's not about denying reality or suppressing negative emotions, but rather expanding our interpretation to include more constructive viewpoints.

Consider the Olympic athletes who, when asked about their pre-game jitters, often reply that they're not nervous, they're excited. This simple reframing transforms a potentially debilitating emotion into a source of energy and motivation.

By mastering the art of subjective reframing, we can unlock a greater capacity for happiness and navigate life's challenges with resilience. It's about recognizing that our perception shapes our reality, and we have the power to choose a more empowering narrative.

From this point, our journey truly begins. Everything becomes possible when we embrace happiness as a mindset, a choice, and a way of being. So let's embark on this adventure together, and I'll see you at the summit of your dreams.