Imagine that you are in the prime of your life (maybe you are!). Take that image further, and think that your job is going great, your children are amazing and you have a wonderful relationship with your spouse (hopefully all this is true!).
But, then your world is rocked by a job loss, an unfaithful spouse or a child making some bad choices. How do you find happiness here?
But, then your world is rocked by a job loss, an unfaithful spouse or a child making some bad choices. How do you find happiness here?
Being an engineer, I was excited to find out that the key to happiness lies in a mathematical equation! I can manipulate that! The equation is Happiness=Reality÷Entitlement.
There are three variables in this equation: Happiness, Reality and Entitlement. You have the power to manipulate only one of these variables: Entitlement. Happiness is a result of your reality compared to the level of entitlement you feel.
Reality, well, it is what it is. Let’s assign reality a value of, say, 10 (for easy math). Let’s say your entitlement level is pretty high, a 10, then your happiness level is going to be a 1. Now, let’s say your Entitlement level is pretty low, a 2, then your happiness level is going to be a 5! Basically, the lower your expectation of being entitled to things, the happier you will be!
Before going further, I should clarify that in some extreme cases, time is an added variable. For example, in the case of a death of a loved one, you may not be able to find happiness until a significant amount of time passes. However, this post will help you even in extreme circumstances. This equation is not a silver bullet but it is another way of thinking about your life. I know when I find myself throwing a pity party I think about math, the variables and my part of the result.
There are three variables in this equation: Happiness, Reality and Entitlement. You have the power to manipulate only one of these variables: Entitlement. Happiness is a result of your reality compared to the level of entitlement you feel.
Reality, well, it is what it is. Let’s assign reality a value of, say, 10 (for easy math). Let’s say your entitlement level is pretty high, a 10, then your happiness level is going to be a 1. Now, let’s say your Entitlement level is pretty low, a 2, then your happiness level is going to be a 5! Basically, the lower your expectation of being entitled to things, the happier you will be!
Before going further, I should clarify that in some extreme cases, time is an added variable. For example, in the case of a death of a loved one, you may not be able to find happiness until a significant amount of time passes. However, this post will help you even in extreme circumstances. This equation is not a silver bullet but it is another way of thinking about your life. I know when I find myself throwing a pity party I think about math, the variables and my part of the result.
You may feel that you are entitled to a CEO-level position paying $250,000 or more per year but you are offered a managerial spot paying under six-figures. Your happiness is not going to be very high! You can turn that around by changing your thoughts of entitlement.
You may believe that you are entitled to good health because you eat right and exercise and yet you face a life-threatening diagnosis. How do you stay happy?
You must realize that just because you do all the right things, you are not entitled to anything. Once you are able to change and control your attitude of entitlement, you can control your level of happiness.
You may believe that you are entitled to good health because you eat right and exercise and yet you face a life-threatening diagnosis. How do you stay happy?
You must realize that just because you do all the right things, you are not entitled to anything. Once you are able to change and control your attitude of entitlement, you can control your level of happiness.
You can dramatically reverse your low level of happiness by taking on an attitude that is the inverse of entitlement: gratitude. If you look at your life and view it through a lens of gratitude you will realize you are blessed rather than short-changed.
I am happy because I am not focusing on the life I feel I am entitled to. I am accepting what God is choosing to give me and because of that, I stay happy. If you are in an unhappy frame of mind, you may need to re-evaluate what you feel entitled to and recognize the blessings in your journey.
I am happy because I am not focusing on the life I feel I am entitled to. I am accepting what God is choosing to give me and because of that, I stay happy. If you are in an unhappy frame of mind, you may need to re-evaluate what you feel entitled to and recognize the blessings in your journey.
These principles are not my idea. They are taught by Jesus in the book of Luke 14: 7-9.
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
Rather than feeling that you are entitled to the place of honor at the party, just be grateful that you were invited. Looking for blessings in whatever situation you find yourself in will increase your gratitude and lower your level of entitlement. That is the key to happiness!
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
Rather than feeling that you are entitled to the place of honor at the party, just be grateful that you were invited. Looking for blessings in whatever situation you find yourself in will increase your gratitude and lower your level of entitlement. That is the key to happiness!
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