What Is Happiness —
and Can You Learn It?
Everyone wants to be happy. But do we actually know what happiness is? And did you know it's something you can learn? For years I've been showing the people who come to me how to find their way to that state. Here's what I've learned.
Happiness isn't the next thing you get
We often believe that a new possession or a new person will finally make us happy. It won't.
Getting what you want and being happy are two different things. Euphoria lasts a moment. Happiness is a steady inner state — and it doesn't depend on what's going on around you. You can be happy even in the middle of the biggest storm of your life.
Faith, hope and love
So what is it? Above all, inner peace and harmony. A sense that you're where you're meant to be.
It's faith in yourself and in the direction things are going. Hope that sooner or later your dreams will come true. And love — for yourself first, then for the people close to you and the world around you.
If happiness has a recipe, it fits in three words: faith, hope and love.
Everything passes — and that's good news
When your plans lie in ruins and the world is falling apart, can you still feel calm inside? Yes.
We cling to things unnecessarily, convinced we know what's good for us. Often we don't.
One of the most beautiful truths in life is that everything passes. Usually that thought scares us. It shouldn't. It means that sadness, depression and problems will pass too — and something new will begin.
You've been here before
When emotions are swirling, they feel enormous. But look back at your life and you'll notice something: you've been here before.
More than once you thought there was no way out. And yet here you are. You survived. You chased the clouds away.
It will be the same this time. Look at your emotions with a little distance and it becomes easier to believe good things are on the horizon. Focus on what could make you smile again — that's what carries you through.
Your tomorrow starts today.
The biggest obstacle: negative thinking
Old beliefs whisper that you're no good. They're lying. Look at how much has already worked out for you — sometimes in quite magical ways.
Past failures don't mean future ones. Every moment is a good moment to change something. And if you're waiting for the perfect moment, you'll wait a long time. It almost never arrives on its own.
Your tomorrow starts today.
Even when you have no energy, break the bad mood with something small that gives you pleasure. Look at how much you've already survived. Trust that you'll cope.
You never know what's waiting around the corner. The future is an endless ocean of possibilities.