Levels of Happiness
March 6, 2026
To Inspire:
Last Saturday I attended the 29th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference, held at Kasich Hall on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center. Our theme was “Take Courage” and our three keynote speakers shared wonderful thoughts focused on that theme.
Father Robert Spitzer chose to focus on the courage it takes to move through lower levels of happiness to the highest level, and I thought I would share those levels in this issue of WealthNotes. As you read about each level, reflect on your own life – what level do you live out of most of the time and how can you move to the next level and ultimately to the highest level – which is the deepest and most fulfilling.
Level 1 is happiness that comes from seeking our own pleasure. We all live at this level in many situations. A great meal, an interesting movie – things that we experience outside of us that give us pleasure. In most cases, the pleasure we receive is not sustained.
Level 2 is comparative happiness, focused on the ego. It’s the happiness we get from competing and winning in a round of golf or in getting a promotion. We view ourselves favorably when comparing ourselves to others.
Living our lives only in these two levels ultimately will result in a deeply unsatisfying life and yet many operate out of one or both – self focused, a life that is all about me. Because we’re made for greatness and for love, our lives will have missed their entire purpose when only these two levels are sought.
Level 3 is contributory happiness. Here we begin to live a life of greater meaning and fulfillment as we become “other focused” and see our lives as enriched as we enrich others by sacrificing for them and serving them. This level is best seen in the context of marriage and family life but also in work life and in the way we see and help those around us in need – of material, emotional, or spiritual help. In this level we find deep joy and contentment – a life that gives us purpose and direction.
Level 4 is the highest level, called Transcendent happiness. This is a happiness people of faith can move into as they pursue a personal relationship with God. It is a happiness that connects us to our Creator and satisfies a fundamental human desire for perfect truth, beauty, justice, goodness, and love. It is the deepest and most fulfilling happiness that can be attained in this life and when combined with Level 3 results in a life of distinct joy and contentment.
My sense is that these levels of happiness resonate for all of us. And as I shared above, consider what level you live out of most of the time and how you can begin to live in the higher two levels. Life is such a gift – live it with greatness, live it with purpose, live it with love!
Have a great weekend!
Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-founder