Happiness is the most fundamental and priceless thing that everyone desires. Children have extreme happiness because everything is provided for by their parents and guardians. As a person ages, the degree of happiness reduces gradually, because of the pressures of life, and it becomes extreme as a person retires from their work. Whisenand & McCain developed a PERMA formula intended for a lifetime happiness.
PERMA formula is a happiness formula that was developed after a realization that many people deviate from happiness as soon as they approach their retiring age. On the same note, many people may enjoy their workplace so much, as well as their workmates, to an extent of remaining happy ever. However, retiring is associated with many things such as age related diseases, isolation and loneliness, and this keeps people away from the happiness they deserve. The PERMA formula highlights the values people need to remain happy all the days of their life, both while working and after retirement. The PERMA constitute the following important components;
Positive emotions: Having a positive feeling makes one happy
Engagement: Being focused makes one engaged in ensuring they get the results they want, and this makes them happy
Positive relationships: Having a fruitful relationship with people around us affects self relationship in a positive way, and this makes people happy
Meaning: Having a belief that days are not always similar makes people happy to live each day as it comes
Accomplishment: When people get the results of their set goals, they develop felicity within them
All these components are paramount, but I feel the component of meaning is the most important. This is because, people encounter so many things, some of which are against their wishes. They might have all the reasons to get angry, but the component of meaning provides an opportunity for a second thought, to believe that all days are not similar, and even though they did not achieve their goals today, they will achieve them tomorrow. In other words, this component gives hope of facing life with courage, and creates happiness in a person’s life.
References
Whisenand, P. M., & McCain, E. D. (2015). Supervising Police Personnel: Strengths-based leadership (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
