The interesting thing about the framework shown below is that most people seem to assume that you have to work your way ‘upwards’ from pleasure to meaning.
Tony Hsieh points out that research suggests that the opposite is true; if we can figure out our higher purpose first and build the other layers on top of this, we have much more likelihood of achieving enduring happiness.
To me, this implies that, if we were to encourage the cultivation of a capacity for joy, inherent in which is a sense of meaning and connection, it might become more likely that individuals would put in place the most appropriate building blocks for happiness.
(You can find this image and more in the Resources section of the Delivering Happiness website)