The Happiness Denominator

In the world of math, a numerator is the number above the line. It represents a defined quantity of parts of the whole. A denominator is the whole, a below-the-line representation of all of the parts. Together, they form a fraction, a ratio of parts to whole.

The pursuit of happiness is a fraction. The numerator represents how much you have. The denominator represents the whole of what you want. A sense of happiness and fulfillment emerges when you have the great majority of what you believe you want.

Many believe the secret to personal happiness lies in the numerator. They focus their lives on collecting more for themselves. More money, more attention, more authority, more friends, more stuff. In the numerator world, more is better than less, bigger is better than smaller, and those who have the most, win. At least, that's the way they see it in their quantified state of mind.

By focusing too much on the numerator (what you have), the prevailing winds of society define and control what you want. You get swept up in society's ideals of more status and more stuff, chasing hollow 'denominators' that have no long-term value. It can feel great to be admired or take home that big screen TV but the thrill is short-lived. You will need to have more to keep the buzz alive.

The denominator is the real secret to developing an enduring sense of happiness and fulfillment. Focus on defining and developing your whole self. What are your interests? What do you value? What are your passions? What is your unique style? Where in the world can you be who you are? These are the questions that give shape to defining a quality life. In the denominator world, quality is better than quantity, no other denominator is like yours, and the quickest way to get everything you want is to want exactly what you have.

A sense of true fulfillment comes more from what you expect than what you possess. Happiness is the unintended by-product of discovering and developing a quality sense of your whole self. Fill your life with quality experiences. In the long run, the numerator quest for happiness can never add up.