Change Your Perspective On Happiness

We all think that the goal of our life is to be happy. But what is happiness? May we win the lottery? Never have any problems again? Always be happy?

We seek happiness, but without being clear about what it is or what will give it to us.

Each person has a different form of happiness. I’m sharing mine with you in case it can guide or inspire you. I hope you can find your own happiness.

I love this idea from Naval Ravikant, an Indian-American businessman and investor:

Peace is happiness at rest. Happiness is peace in movement.

You can’t be happy if you don’t have inner peace. Tranquility comes from accepting things as they are and seeing reality as it is.

There are no outside forces influencing your emotions — as much as it may seem like it. We can find peace by cultivating indifference to things outside our control.

I combined this idea with that of Dr. Jordan Peterson. Instead of looking for happiness, let’s look for meaning.

We find this meaning by accepting our suffering and accepting the responsibility we have to ourselves and the people around us.

For me, accepting suffering means accepting the impermanence of life. That everything changes and that, hopefully sooner rather than later, we will die.

It’s a fact. We are going to suffer. Now, will we face it head on or will we do it in fear? Knowing it’s coming, am I going to prepare to endure it? Or am I going to ignore it, pretending it doesn’t exist?

Practicing voluntary suffering makes you more resilient against involuntary suffering.

Accepting the responsibility you have for yourself means doing whatever it takes to realize your potential. Take care of yourself. Don’t accept the excuses you always make to avoid doing what you know you have to do. Integrate your shadow and become a beacon of light in the midst of the storm.

What are you waiting for to demand the best of yourself?

Accepting the responsibility we have towards others is living according to our nature. Being a contributing member of our group, whether it is our family, our team at work, or our community, is a source of meaning.

Many times we focus too much on our own happiness. We think we are the navel of the world. But just by helping someone, reaching out to someone in need, being kind and respectful, we are improving our environment and as a result, improving ourselves.

The most compelling sign that someone is living their best life is their lack of desire to show the world that they are living their best life. Your best life doesn’t need external validation.

Happy people:

• They don’t brag.
• They talk less.
• They learn daily.
• They help others.
• They laugh more.
• They ignore the judgments of others.

What is happiness for you? What changes have you made in your life to make it happier? I read you in the comments!