Want To Be Happy, Dammit?

As we all know, the truest life theories are the ones which can withstand the test of time. And so I wanted to re-explore "happiness tips" from famous, cool, dead people...to see if their theories are indeed timeless ...beginning with the very interesting Ayn Rand.

First of all, you pronounce her name "Ayn" so it rhymes with "mine" - which is apropos, because Ayn's famed life philosophy of OBJECTIVISM is all about going for the "mine, mine, mine" - living your individualistic destiny to its fullest potential.

"I swear, by my life and my love of it," said Ayn, "I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. "

Ayn described this philosophy of hers as "rational individualism." And in her famous novels THE FOUNTAINHEAD and ATLAS SHRUGGED, Ayn dramatized this "rational individualist" -- this "ideal man" - this "heroic being" -- as someone who lived by his own effort - never giving away or receiving anything undeserved -- who honored self-achievement -- and rejected envy of others.

As a self-help author I've read many modern day research studies which support this Ayn Happiness Philosophy as a timeless one. Consistently studies show how the happiest people are those who tap into their "signature strengths" daily (as seen in Tom Rath's Gallup studies). Plus the happiest people also are the ones who don't step foot onto what psychologists call the "hedonic treadmill" -enviously wanting more, because their neighbors have more.

Ayn went on to promote how this "rational individualist" could never expect to achieve their dream goals by mere wish or whim -- but only by a feisty one-pointedness.

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me," said Ayn.

This particular one-pointedness theory is timelessly proven - especially in today's competitive marketplace - where it's survival of the most passionately determined. Hence why there are a slew of best selling books about focusing on your signature strengths - and warning not to raise your kids with lazy entitlement issues.

Indeed, I am always coaching clients that "The purpose of your life is to find and do the purpose of your life." And if you want to find and do your purpose, then you must make it a fiery "must" -- not merely a lukewarm "should."

Ayn described the timeless power of making your purpose a "must" everlastingly well when she said: "Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice."

Another of Any's famed theories asserts how the individual should NEVER feel guilty about having it all -- if the individual can snag it all - an eternal truth for sure!

Unfortunately, far too many people also timelessly self-sabotage - cursing themselves with a tendency to feel guilty if they start to amass too much success and joy - creating negative monetary beliefs which then create negative monetary habits which then create negative monetary results (aka: as described further by Suze Orman and all those various experts in The Secret).

Indeed, a timeless message for all monetary self-sabotagers: If you want to make gobs of cash, you must first get in harmony with making gobs of cash. Once you're in harmony with wealth, you will see money opportunities everywhere you look. In time even the word "harmony" might start to appear to you as if it's spelled "harmoney"! Although I jest, the timeless truth within still twinkles rightly and brightly.

Ayn offers many timeless thoughts on this subject of breaking free from the shackles of limited thinking about wealth. "Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil," said Ayn. "That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter. "

With all this said, I do find that although Ayn is a great encourager of folks going for the big cash prizes, sometimes she takes her espousing of materialism a bit too far.

For example..."If any civilization is to survive," said Ayn, "it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject. "

Ayn writes a lot about the negatives of altruism versus the benefits of materialism in her famed book of essays "The Virtues Of Selfishness" -- a book I found both fascinating and downright offensive. Personally, I am a big supporter in taking time to give back to our world through charity and service. And infinite research studies prove the benefits of doing altruistic acts -- not only for the world at large -- but for the altruistic individual's personal happiness.

According to Martin Seligman, the famed positive psychology author and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most effective techniques for creating personal happiness is to lead "a meaningful life"--use your personal strengths to serve some larger altruistic end.

In an experiment called "Philanthropy versus Fun," Seligman divided his psychology students so some engaged in pleasurable activities (going to the movies, eating yummy ice cream) and the others did philanthropic activities (volunteering at a soup kitchen, reading to the blind).

Guess what?

The happiness afterglow of the fun was nada compared to the lasting happiness of doing altruistic acts.

Meaning?

Doing good for others will also make you feel good--and, according to Seligman, your highest level of feel-good.

My guess: Altruism raises your mood because it raises your self-esteem - and high self esteem is a big booster of happiness. Plus giving to others gets you outside yourself and thereby distracts you from your problems. In other words, a good timeless happiness tip to ask yourself: "What loving deed can I do? How can I help those in greater need?" Then go out there and follow through with these acts of altruism and service.

With all this said, I'm betting that even if Ayn and I started off a conversation disagreeing on this topic of altruism, Ayn would nonetheless be open to hearing about these modern day research studies and theories.

To quote Ayn: "When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit. "

And it is for this particular version of the word "profit" - as in to profit in one's spirit and mind from hearing new, exciting ideas - which Ayn consistently promotes - and which I will timelessly appreciate Ayn for!

Want more of Salmansohn's tips and theories on happiness? Read THE BOUNCE BACK BOOK: HOW TO THRIVE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, SETBACKS, AND LOSSES. Or sign up for the free Be Happy Dammit newsletter at www.notsalmon.com.

Comments

[joebiz]

There are a lot of critics facing and questioning Objectivism. However, if it leads to "happiness" then good for you. One needs to be objective and study the writings of Rand and her critics to either adopt or reject, in part or in full, the teachings of Objectivism.

Check out the link below:
http://www.noblesoul.com/orc/critics/index.html

[HBinswanger]

I was a close friend of Ayn Rand's at the end of her life. Do not credit the misrepresentations of her spread by her enemies and those whom she discovered to be dishonest. She was just like the heroines of her novels--the same combination of unbreached rationality and passion for living.

As to altruism, shouldn't we begin by defining our terms? Altruism, philosophically, means living for others, sacrificing yourself, erasing your ego. That is suicidal. No one has ever given the slightest *reason* why everyone other than you is to be placed ahead of you. In the whole history of thought, no rational grounds have ever been given to support the morality of altruism (and I know the history of thought--I'm a professor of philosophy).

Ayn Rand bases her morality of "rational selfishness" on the fact that man is a living organism, that his survival is not guaranteed, that his life depends on the use of his rational faculty. Agree with that or not, she makes her case by appeal to nothing but logic. Try doing that with altruism.

[TheBigOpinion]

Ayn Rand is often misinterpreted by people. She has a lot of really empowering opinions -- but she tempers them with rational thought -- hence why writes about the the rational individualist.

For example..

"Do not ever say that the desire to "do good" by force is a good motive. Neither power-lust nor stupidity are good motives." - Ayn Rand

I feel that the writer of this article highlighted what there is to love about Ayn Rand's philosophy -- and warned us what there is about her writing we should not love!

By the way, Ayn Rand was not a complete materialist. She was more about pushing men/women to pursue their passions. Another quotable Ayn Rand belief...

"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver." --
Ayn Rand

[LoreleiHere]

I remember reading Ayn Rand in college and loving her. In fact there are clubs for Ayn Rand fans. I appreciate how she pushes people to find their passions and go for it. She was a bit ahead of her time for a woman too which I very much respect. Thank you Karen for this interesting article - and reminder of how I read and loved Ayn Rand in college.

[suek]

I actually loved this article and I think I know what Karen is trying to say with "Altruism raises your mood because it raises your self-esteem". She's saying that a lot of people are depressed in this world because THEY BEHAVE BADLY - which is an instant karmic boomerang to make you FEEL BADLY ABOUT YOURSELF. The more you behave WELL the BETTER you feel.

And I also loved her line about "...the individual should NEVER feel guilty about having it all..an eternal truth for sure!",

Too many people GET IN THEIR OWN WAY because of...well...LOW SELF ESTEEM -- which gets us back to the importance of GOOD SELF ESTEEM.

I loved this piece - found it very provocative. And I think what I loved most about it was its reminder to be authentic and do your passions if you want to be a happy person -- a definite timeless ageless tip to be a happy person!

[OtayPanky]

Karen quotes Ayn Rand: "I swear, by my life and my love of it," said Ayn, "I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. "

===

It takes about 10 minutes of googling to find out Ayn Rand not only broke her oath, but broke it in a spectacular and tragic way.

She asked people - and most particularly Nathaniel Branden - to live their lives for her.

Objectivism - her philosophy - was anything but objective when it came to her rage after Branden cut off their affair. She reacted with rage - not only cutting him out her life, but doing everything she could to ruin him entirely.

When we look to others for ideas about how to live our lives, the most important question to ask is how they have lived theirs.

[KillgoreTrout43]

Rand was big for a while in the sixties. She was soon found to be very hypocritical and extremely selfish. I think she is alot of horse manure. Her obsession with self and materialism is disgusting to me. Definately not my cup of tea.

[fairwitness]

"Altruism raises your mood because it raises your self-esteem".

Karen, you use even altruism--­selflessne­ss--to making YOURSELF happy. The height of irony?

I would respectfully disagree: to be truly altruistic is, even if only for a moment, to FORGET oneself. It's that momentary absence of self-concern that IS happiness, since the self, in its isolation and problematic fears, is itself the root of UNhappiness. You may even equate them: self=unhappiness. A teacher explained the essence of Buddhism thus: 'No self, no problem." That is worth investigation by those who embrace Rand's Self-worship. A little observation should suffice (if one is capable of it in the midst of unrestrained self-obsession).

OK. But when you admiringly quote: "...the individual should NEVER feel guilty about having it all..an eternal truth for sure!",

WTF?! Not feeling guilt at one's absolute, undiluted, unmitigated, selfish greed for no less than "IT ALL" is "an eternal truth for sure"?! How you can enshrine such a perverse idea as an "eternal truth" reveals just how bankrupt that self-centered philosophy really is. And it seems to me the only people I've EVER heard using such perverse logic are those who are justifying their own corruption, selfishness and greed in hope of pushing away the natural human reaction to it: wrenching guilt.

"Let reality be the final arbiter", indeed.