Although we think we act because of the way we feel, in
fact, we often feel because of the way we act. For example, studies show that
even an artificially induced smile brings about happier emotions, and a recent
experiment suggested that people who use Botox are less prone to anger because
they can’t make angry faces.
Interesting. What else?
"Philosopher and psychologist William James explained: “Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating the action, which is under the more direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not.” Although this “fake it ‘till you feel it” strategy might seem fake or inauthentic, I’ve found it to be almost creepily effective."
I hate this whole line of thinking that leads to the conclusion that actively choosing a path outside of your "instinct" or comfort zone means you are somehow fake, that you should "be who you are." Why not be who you want? What's creepy about actively choosing what you think is right rather than being affected by your upbringing?
I like the "action and feeling go together" part. Yeah, if you take the right actions, you will feel the right things.
It takes great presence of mind, and a lot of self-discipline, but whenever I can manage to act lighthearted or friendly or receptive to criticism or whatever is the opposite of my grouchy, gruff, defensive instinct in the moment, I really transform my mood.
Yes, exactly. It takes "a great presence of mind" and a lot of self-discipline. The key here is that it requires this work only at first. Man uses his mind for survival. To the extent that our choices further our survival, happiness and contentment are usually our default or "instinct" state. If we make choices that don't further our existance, our subconcious knows that our choices aren't furthering survival and the resulting contradiction creates tension, conflict and feelings of unease. Rational decision makers, people who actually consider a problem and make a reasoned choice, seldom are uneasy. They may agonize over a decision, both before and after making it, but they seldom have an overwhelming sense of "unease." They know they can use reason to correct most, if not all, situations they face. Unease comes from knowing that you don't have, or more accurately, don' t utilize, the means for their own survival. Thus, they survive mostly because we have advanced where we far enough from death that each decision isn't a mortal one.
Back to the original quote. As you employ the proper reaction more and more, as you put the proper thinking into effect again and again, you'll find that its becomes your default "instinct," and not that gruff part.
Aristotle's on point thoughts have been summed up thusly: What we need, in order to live well, is a proper appreciation of the way in which such goods as friendship, pleasure, virtue, honor and wealth fit together as a whole. In order to apply that general understanding to particular cases, we must acquire, through proper upbringing and habits, the ability to see, on each occasion, which course of action is best supported by reasons.
And it was Rand who said "Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." Of course, as I explained, "values" can't be just anything. They have to flow from the furthering of our existance.
This led Rand to conclude that "Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values."
