The Three Secrets to Happiness
April 23, 2008
We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life.
But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.
So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are.
Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:
- Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.
- Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.
- Flow. This is a popular concept on the Internet these days — the state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you.
You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them!
This is a very powerful thing, which every one must
shailesh | April 23, 2008This is a very powerful thing, which every one must adopt.
This will change ones mind set and thinking. Very good & important information about life!
good for our modern day mind as we are always
shob | April 23, 2008good for our modern day mind as we are always busy with materialistic thinking for a change this is good.
Money Does Buy Happiness in a Way... The three things
Aarif | April 23, 2008Money Does Buy Happiness in a Way… The three things that you mentioned above .. all need money… If I want to spend quality time with my family… I need money… suppose sumone in my family is not well.. and need to be urgently operated upon… and I go with what you say.. that money is not that important… Lets say I have less money than needed for that operation… WILL I B ABLE TO SPEND THE QUALITY TIME WITH MY LOVED ONES THAT YOU TALK OF ???? 2. Positive Thinking : In this state , with no money and I see my loved one dying in front of me… WHAT POSITIVE THINKING DO YOU WANT ME TO THINK OF ??? IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE WHAT U SAY???— Think what you say !!!… U are saying this either becoz U have NO PROBLEMS or have LOTS OF MONEY and DONT need more … or have NEVER FELT THE NEED TO WORK FOR it…. try to go hungry for a few days… or feel the pain of seeing sumone you care of helpless becoz U dont have enough money to care for the and then you’ll probably write that 1st MONEY IS MOST IMPORTANT … then all the above follow …. God forbid U never have to face the above to really experience it…. Love .
In fact... Money if had and GIVEN AWAY... can make
Aarif | April 23, 2008In fact… Money if had and GIVEN AWAY… can make such a Change in this world…. God has suppossed BLESSED you with either Money or the ability to earn lots of it…. Dont U think that that money can feed a poor child ? get Medicines for the needy ? Give a Blanket for that Old person sleeping in the cold ? Pay for a Childs education ????…. Yes… It can and Will .. IF GIVEN AWAY …. Money DOES GIVE HAPPINESS… when it is GIVEN AWAY…. try it and see how HAPPY U Feel….
this is very good information for success in life,,,,,,it's really
nand | April 24, 2008this is very good information for success in life,,,,,,it’s really fantastic ,or it;s secrets of life ,,,,,,,,for
achieaving ny goal..
@ Aarif I never said that money is not important at
admin | April 24, 2008@ Aarif
I never said that money is not important at all. I was just commenting on the materialistic view that some people have of thinking that “they will be happy if they buy this or that toy/gadget/car/bank balance etc”. While that may bring temporary joy, it does not alone bring long lasting and fulfilling happiness.
Obviously money is required, and the people who are reading this article on the Internet (and who this article is targeted for), are not in poverty. Once basic needs are taken care of then the pointers I mentioned above make a big difference in ones lives!
well it is v. gooooooooooooood make u thnk again about
samia | April 24, 2008well it is v. gooooooooooooood make u thnk again about what ur doing whate is ur life well do 4 u
GOOGD GOOD GOOD BUT MUST APPLY TO OUR
SHABANALI | April 25, 2008GOOGD GOOD GOOD BUT MUST APPLY TO OUR LIFE MAY BE OUR LIFE CHANGE.YES SURE TRY !!!!
GOOD ONE MUST APPLY IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIFE
NILESH | April 25, 2008GOOD ONE MUST APPLY IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIFE
an eye opener. such truths are badly needed to be
saira | April 25, 2008an eye opener. such truths are badly needed to be reminded from time to time.
very usefull tips for life
Pranesh Krishnan | April 26, 2008very usefull tips for life
Must applicable to every one and every body should fallow,
srinath | April 27, 2008Must applicable to every one and every body should fallow, Really very Goooooooooooooooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its really too good.. n also an inportant prospect in
Kalpana | May 1, 2008Its really too good.. n also an inportant prospect in life
Money makes you comfortable... often people equate rich with money
Sarika | May 3, 2008Money makes you comfortable… often people equate rich with money which is a false sense of security… often people don’t know that having a healthy peace of mind is richness… Im not saying that money isn’t necessary, because without it necessities cannot be bought…
It is the fact that people spend their lives hunting for more and more money that they forget to live life and enjoy the things along the way… and I think that this article depicts this in some way…
I understand the viewpoint of Aarif but I guess tact would have been good in his statements to be less offensive / arrogant.
But never the less, ppl are entitled to their opinions.
We must remember that WE are in charge of OUR happiness.. no one else!
Money can buy comfort but not happiness.
santosh | May 6, 2008Money can buy comfort but not happiness.