Engaging in life, in simple terms, means "passion for life". It refers to one being fully involved in and enthusiastic about one's different realms of life, including work, relationship and personal pursuit. Engagement is directly related to happiness. You might have experienced loss of self-consciousness during an activity, for example playing a piece of music or playing football. You may not be able to recall what you were thinking and feeling at that time, but the concentrated attention would take you to a stage when you "merge" with the activity or an object, which ends up bringing you a tremendous sense of satisfaction.  Prof Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a renowned psychologist in positive psychology, called this state "Flow".

 

 

One best form of "flow" is when you can identify your unique strength and develop a valued goal for implementing it in your life. Happy people usually have their unique, meaningful goals in life. Prof Sonja Lyubomirsky, a world-renowned psychologist in positive psychology, pointed out that when we have meaningful goals in life and utilise our strength to engage in realising these goals, we tend to have a sense of purpose and feeling of control, which is essential in boosting self-esteem. The "flow" experienced in the process can also bring us long-lasting satisfaction.

 

 

Not all types of goals have the same effect in creating sustained happiness.   Prof Lyubomirsky suggested that goals that carry the below characteristics would be a better choice:

 

(1) Personally involving and rewarding, not because of external pressure (e.g. you have the strength of kindness and generosity and choose to implement this strength through volunteering in a charity work because you find it meaningful to you instead of pleasing someone else).

 

(2) Leads to desirable outcomes (e.g. you feel more satisfied or make more new friends).

 

(3) One goal is consistent or in harmony with other goals in life (e.g. personal growth and making a difference in others' lives).

 

(4) Allow flexibility and activity-based (e.g. you can often suspend the volunteer work because of other more important commitments, and charity work may take different forms of activities, such as direct services to the poor or organising a fund-raising event).

 

When we commit ourselves with time, motivation and passion in pursuing life goals, whether big or small, we will enjoy more "flow" experience and life would become genuinely satisfying.

 

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away".  Let's fill our every single day with an "A.P.P.L.E." (Appreciation, Positivity, Permission to be Human, Love & Care and Engagement) and enjoy a psychologically healthy journey of life.