The Wisdom of the Ancients

Psychologists have a term for it: The “hedonic treadmill”. It is the idea that humans will always return to their baseline level of happiness, no matter what good or bad befalls them. In other words, intense feelings of joy (and despair) are temporary.  Just how temporary they are is a function of the person’s ability to maintain a love of something or shrug off the loss of it.

It turns out that many of us are too-often stuck in a position of being disproportionately devastated by a bad turn of events. Perhaps worse, we also have difficulty being able to maintain our appreciation of that which gave us joy; it loses its luster.  We take it for granted. We get bored.  And so we keep chasing things that we think will make us happy, and even if we get them, they don’t satisfy for long.

Philosopher William Levine calls this treadmill effect the “Gap Theory of Happiness”, in which there exists a perpetual gap between what we have and what we want. The key to being happy, he claims, is simple: Want what you already have.

But that’s tough to do, especially when we see the lives of our friends unspooling in a constant stream of awesomeness on their Facebook pages. We see pictures of their vacations, read about the achievements of their children, and we can’t help but compare what we have with what they have—and we invariably want more than we have.

So how do we break this cycle? Levine suggests taking a page from the Stoics. In his book, The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient, Levine makes the distinction between “stoic” and “Stoic”; the former being a condition of quietly, emotionlessly accepting the  blows of life and the latter finding a sustainable joy in learning how to condition yourself to not succumb to them. This posture—active not passive in its orientation— is what governed the Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome.

He suggests a number of strategies for channeling our inner Stoic:  anchoring (seeing that whatever position you find yourself could, in fact, be much worse), negative visualization (imagining the loss of something you value), and developing an emotional immunity to failure (by giving yourself plenty of chances to experience it).  Engaging these exercises, Levine claims, will enable us to find an enduring joy because they will lead us to Want What We Already Have.

There are, of course, applications of this philosophy in the college admission process. I call it “loving your likelies”; if you want the colleges that you know are going to accept you, then you are guaranteed a happy ending in your process.

But there are so many broader (and bigger) applications: nurturing a marriage, appreciating family, job satisfaction.  When we appreciate what we have—when we want it— we are able to maximize the joy we get from it.

The Stoics demonstrate that it is up to us how we react and respond to challenges–The power is ours.  Let’s grab it!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

HRA: Supporting Every Student

At Hampton Roads Academy (HRA) in Newport News, VA, the school celebrates the individuality of each student and is committed to creating a nurturing environment tailored to their needs. By emphasizing personalized attention, HRA ensures students receive the academic support, emotional guidance, and extracurricular opportunities essential for success. This approach is built on a foundation of respect and care that influences all interactions and initiatives.

HRA is dedicated to making its quality education accessible to all families. Through customized tuition assistance programs, HRA works to eliminate financial barriers, ensuring that every student can access the education they deserve. HRA proudly offers various resources and support to meet the diverse needs of its community with compassion and commitment.

HRA’s Commitment to Excellence

At HRA, education extends beyond the classroom. We are devoted to developing the whole student through a rigorous academic program. HRA’s curriculum highlights honor, integrity, and personal growth, ensuring that each student’s unique strengths are acknowledged in a supportive environment.

With small class sizes and personalized support, HRA’s dedicated faculty is committed to helping every student excel. HRA fosters a healthy and encouraging atmosphere where students thrive physically, emotionally, and academically, empowering them to explore a variety of academic and extracurricular pursuits, from sports to the arts.

Why Choose HRA?

As the only independent school on the Peninsula serving Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, HRA provides a unique educational experience. Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, HRA adheres to the highest standards of academic excellence.

Beyond academics, HRA offers numerous opportunities to enhance student development. HRA’s athletic programs encourage teamwork, physical fitness, and sportsmanship, while our vibrant Arts program enables students to express their creativity in visual and performing arts. The REACH (Real-world Experience and Academic Choices) Initiative links academic learning to real-world applications, fostering personal growth, community service, and shared values.

Schedule Your Tour of HRA in Newport News, VA, Today!

At HRA, students receive an exceptional education focused on character development and future success. HRA nurtures critical thinking, effective communication, teamwork, and a spirit of discovery, shaping innovative and compassionate leaders for an evolving world. Serving families in Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton, and Williamsburg, VA, we invite you to schedule a campus tour to see how our supportive environment can help your child thrive and reach their full potential.