A Secret Treasure Hunt to Happiness and Resilience in Squamish

Sp’akw’us Feather Park, Squamish, British Columbia

I’ve often sat in my counseling room with clients like Mary. With tears in her eyes, she looked at me and asked, "Why does my marriage have to be so difficult? All I want is to be happy."

And I get that. We all want to feel happy. But what does "happiness" truly mean?

For years, we've been told it's a simple recipe: get a good job, find the right person, buy a nice home. We chase happiness as one big, elusive thing, believing it's a single destination we can finally reach. But if that were true, why are so many of us still left feeling empty, exhausted, and searching for more?

The truth is, happiness isn't a single destination you chase after. It's a **treasure hunt**, one with four different kinds of joy, each waiting to be discovered.

Our late Dr. Paul Wong, a wonderful teacher and psychologist, shared a profound insight with us: he said, ‘Happiness comes in distinct forms, each touching a different part of who we are."

Dr. Paul Wong, 4 Types of Happiness

Understanding the four different kinds of happiness can help us live more fully and meaningfully.

And my journey to understanding them, surprisingly, often leads me back to the breathtaking landscapes of Squamish.

Unlock Your Resilience: Discover the 4 Types of Happiness

My time as a psychotherapist, combined with my own life experiences (as a mother, grandmother, consultant, and proud wife!), has taught me that a truly rich and resilient life is far from what you achieve or accumulate. It’s about how you live, how you *experience* joy in all its diverse forms.

Understanding these four types of happiness can help us live more fully and meaningfully, equipping us with the tools to navigate life’s inevitable challenges and cultivate deeper, more resilient satisfaction. This insight helped Mary find the courage to cultivate deeper satisfaction in her own marriage, and it can help you too.

4-quardrant of Happiness

Let's embark on this treasure hunt to find:

1. Hedonic Happiness: The Spark of Pure Pleasure

This is the happiness we most commonly think of – the immediate joy from sensory pleasures and positive emotions. It’s the tasty treat, the fun day at the beach, the laugh with a friend. It’s fleeting, but powerful.

**The Squamish Connection:** Imagine hiking a challenging trail here in Squamish, finally reaching a breathtaking viewpoint, and feeling that surge of pure, unadulterated joy as you take in the panoramic mountains. Or the simple delight of sipping a perfect cup of coffee while gazing at the Chief on a crisp morning.

**Why it Matters for Resilience:** As the profound insights of Holocaust survivor Dr. Viktor Frankl show, even amidst the horrific ordeal of the concentration camps, he and other captives could still find fleeting moments of joy. They would pause their grueling labor of digging at railroad sites. They would then raise their heads, and a smile would cross their faces as they gazed upon a beautiful rainbow across the sky. This simple, spontaneous pleasure, even in the face of unimaginable suffering, was a poignant reminder that the human spirit, while tested, could not be entirely broken. Hedonic happiness, in its purest form, can be that crucial spark of hope.

2. Prudential Happiness: The Comfort of Well-Being

This dimension is about contentment, peace of mind, and taking care of your overall well-being. It’s the satisfaction that comes from achieving goals, maintaining good health, or simply being content with your present circumstances. It’s about building a stable foundation for your life.

**The Squamish Connection:** For me, prudential happiness often comes from knowing my home in Squamish is a safe, cozy haven after a day of adventure, or the satisfaction of planning a week of healthy meals for my family when they visit me. It's the contentment of a balanced life.

**Why it Matters for Resilience:** When you proactively manage your well-being – physically, mentally, and emotionally – you build a strong inner reserve. This type of happiness isn't a peak emotion, but a steady warmth that makes you less vulnerable to external pressures, helping you bounce back from setbacks more effectively.

3. Eudaimonic Happiness: The Joy of Purpose and Growth

Often considered a deeper, more profound form of happiness, eudaimonia comes from living a life aligned with your values, pursuing meaningful goals, and realizing your full potential. It’s the satisfaction of contribution, growth, and personal achievement. This is about asking: "Am I doing what truly matters to me?"

**The Squamish Connection:** Here in Squamish, I see eudaimonic happiness in those dedicating themselves to protecting the natural environment, or in my own work contributing to projects that make a real difference. It’s the deep satisfaction of seeing a project completed, or a client find clarity.

**Why it Matters for Resilience:** Engaging in purposeful activities provides a powerful sense of meaning that sustains you through difficulties. When you know *why* you're doing something, the *how* becomes more manageable. This type of happiness provides an anchor, making you resilient to superficial failures because your core purpose remains intact.

#### 4. Chaironic Happiness: The Peace of Transcendence

This is perhaps the least commonly discussed, yet most profound, type of happiness. Chaironic happiness comes from a sense of awe, spiritual connection, inner peace, and a feeling of being part of something larger than yourself. It's often experienced in moments of deep contemplation, mindfulness, or connection with nature.

**The Squamish Connection:** For me, chaironic happiness is deeply tied to Squamish. It’s standing at the base of the Stawamus Chief, feeling small yet connected to something ancient and vast. It’s the quiet reverence of a forest walk, or the stillness found gazing at a starry sky far from city lights. These are moments of profound peace and connection.

Welcome Gate, Sp’akw’us Feather Park, Squamish, British Columbia

**Why it Matters for Resilience:** This dimension offers an ultimate wellspring of calm and perspective. When you can connect to a sense of transcendence, life's daily stresses diminish in comparison. It builds an unshakeable inner peace that helps you navigate even the most tumultuous times with grace and equanimity. It's the ultimate anchor for resilience.

Your Treasure Hunt for Happiness Begins Now!

Understanding these four types of happiness empowers you to stop chasing an elusive ideal and start building a truly rich, resilient, and meaningful life. It encourages you to nurture a diverse portfolio of joys, ensuring you always have a source of well-being, no matter what life throws your way.

So, my question for you is this: how can you go on a treasure hunt for happiness this week? What’s one new way you’ll find joy, whether it’s through a simple pleasure, a meaningful project, or a moment of deep peace?

Share your ideas in the comments below, and let's build a community of happiness seekers!

If you prefer, you can watch the YouTube video on the 4 Types of Happiness here.