Today downgraded is a bad word, especially with the meltdown of many venerable institutions in the financial services industry... Every one wants an upgrade be it at the work front by means of a promotion or better pay, better credit status, possession of credit and other cards named after precious metals or socially through the acquisition of a better lifestyle... This must be read as a larger house, car, TV and the like ... Being upgraded is seen as a path to happiness and any downgrading is seen as something as bad as being socially ostracized...
Everyone seems to want bigger, better and faster… I wonder in this mad rush to upgrade do people slow down, reflect and see at what cost other than in a simple economic sense they are paying for this… Time is an irreversible dimension… An upgrade cannot get you back time you have lost in this mad rush…
Martin Seligman, in his book “Authentic happiness” presents a simple formula…
H = S + C + V
Where H is the enduring level of happiness, “S” the set range of happiness that you will experience that is influenced by you, “C” the circumstances of your life, “V”, the factors under your voluntary control.
Seligman’s goes to show how V or what is in our voluntary control is the single most important driver, determining our level of enduring happiness … These include, satisfaction about the past, optimism about the future and happiness in the present …
I will now comeback to downgrades and why they are not bad as they may help increase enduring happiness …. It is very tempting to view happiness as being obtained from doing things that give perhaps instant gratification and pleasure some of which I referred to as upgrades … However this is fleeting at best…
What we need to focus on are slowing down and savoring i.e. being aware of and conscious of what we are doing and the pleasure it brings, being mindful of every activity we undertake… I bet this will lead to prioritization… Developing a sense of gratification as being different from pleasure… True gratification is one that obtains from the pursuit of right action… Only if one indulges in detached reflection and determined redirection can a sense of purpose evolve which if pursued with conviction and dedication leads to endearing happiness …
In conclusion, I must confess what made me write this … It was a downgrade letter from a frequent flier program I have been a member for over a decade… It announced my second successive downgrade in two years from platinum to gold and now silver … I am sure more will follow till I get to their rock bottom… My happiness has never soared so high in recent time as my feet are planted firmly in the ground with my family and friends … I have upgraded my happiness quotient!
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