Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana has spent three decades researching human hope and happiness and has discovered a method to measure happiness based on a simple equation: Hope ÷ Hunger = Happiness. Hunger in this context doesn’t just refer to a physical hunger for food, but also includes a compelling desire or craving for inclusion and acknowledgment, intimacy and trusted companionship, information and answers, continuity and certainty. On the other hand, hope comes from high self-esteem, robust relationships, economic sufficiency, knowledge, and spiritual assurances. By measuring hope and hunger with this formula, Dr. Obayuwana has developed a questionnaire that determines whether an individual is languishing, flourishing, or functioning somewhere in between.
Those who are languishing are overwhelmed with feelings of emptiness, low hope, and a sense of disconnection, functioning at the lowest end of the well-being spectrum. Conversely, those who are flourishing are happy, full of hope, and functioning well emotionally and socially. To determine if you are flourishing, there are six statements you can confidently make, indicating a happier, more hopeful life than most people. These statements include being an optimist, having something to offer to others, having someone to count on, being able to find answers when needed, feeling fortunate, and relying on something larger than yourself.
Being an optimist means habitually choosing the most favorable interpretation of events and the future, which makes one resilient and able to maintain hope even when faced with challenges. Having something to offer to others indicates a high degree of self-esteem and a sense of belonging and purpose within the community. Having someone to count on reduces feelings of loneliness and uncertainty, providing a sense of connection and support. Being able to find answers to questions alleviates anxiety and the hunger for information, boosting confidence and self-assurance.
Feeling fortunate and grateful for what you have leads to an appreciation of the economic assets and material resources in your life, enhancing their value. Relying on something larger than yourself, whether it’s a form of spirituality, religious faith, or ethical convictions, provides reassurance and hope for the future. Cultivating your own spirituality can offer guidance, protection, and fulfillment. Dr. Obayuwana’s work as a physician-scientist, happiness coach, and author of “The Happiness Formula” focuses on promoting more hopeful and happier communities through understanding and measuring hope and happiness.
