The Three Secrets to Happiness
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 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 busy with materialistic thinking for a change this is good.
Money 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 .
@ Aarif,
In my whole life I have never seen depressing person like you.
I think you misunderstood the thought (In fact I feel you didn’t understand anything out of it). Yes one thing missing was, for people like you positive attitude should come first. If you have billions of rupees and don’t have your beloved one, friends, family with you with whom you are going to enjoy it? To whom will help with your (if you ever will have) positive attitude. Who told you don’t earn money, Earn what you can spend for you, your family and beloved once but not for greed.
I think you did not understand what Positive Thinking is all about. Positive Thinking will not make your problems vanish, but it helps YOU grow bigger than your problems. Still confusing? Let me explain.
Remember the time when you were in Kindergarten. What was your toughest examination? Writing A,B,C,Ds, right? When you were a kid, ABCs were very tough? Now think about the same examination today, is it tough now? No, it is just piece of cake for you, right?
Now tell me, has the problem (test of ABCs) changed? It has not, but what makes you feel easy about it is that YOU have grown bigger than the problem, so it is piece of cake.
This is what positive thinking does. It does not change the problem, but it does change YOUR perspective of the problem. I hope I am clear now.
In 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 fantastic ,or it;s secrets of life ,,,,,,,,for
achieaving ny goal..
@ 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 what ur doing whate is ur life well do 4 u
GOOGD 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
an eye opener. such truths are badly needed to be reminded from time to time.
very usefull tips for lifi
very usefull tips for life
Must applicable to every one and every body should fallow, Really very Goooooooooooooooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its really too good.. n also an inportant prospect in life
Money 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.
Hi santosh, you have said it well and simple just in few words. your name itself can explain it well, thanks
just a few webpages cannot bring in happiness or peace in life. life is a chance…billions and billions of sperms fighting with one another to hit an egg, which by mere chance is active and alive, and the live birth is more by chance and growing up is another wonderful chance and finally keeping oneself in so called happiness without really having an idea of what happiness is…. let us trust is God, and if there is no God let us emulate Nietzhe to creat a God for ourselves. A small bee in the bonnet can tumble the applecart, no our imaginary universe itself
Life is too short and every one need to attract the best thing in it, to be happy and enjoy your life you need to take it easy without complixity of life.
If you can forgive and ignore the annoying things you will realy enjoy life
If you can make others happy that will give great satisfaction
Money is not every thing and cannot make you happy, but good health and good family with real friends around you, That will make big change in life and happinies will come to you.
first we need to know absence of sorrow is not happiness.secondly there need/should not be any guilt in any form towards entire act including words we have speltout.
Hi Priya,
I love all of your emails! Sweet of you to post every now and then.
Thanks a ton.
This one is incomparable! Real essence of life, I feel.
God Bless.
Money 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 .
snels,,,,,,,,,,,,,
you are perfectly right.
i agree with you,
without mony we cant do nothing.
PRASHANT (prashantganapa@in.com)
The basic needs have to be met before any theories of ‘how to become happy’ become relevant. There has to be balance between needs and wealth. There is old adage that you don’t become rich by amassing more and more wealth, rather you become rich by controlling your needs.
One can not dispute that creation of wealth is required for progress. But creation of wealth by making oneself unhappy or others unhappy has to be shunned.
Its really too good.. n also an important prospect in life
really i enjoying with this word
Arif has a point,Truth is stranger than philosophy//
but can u always keep running after money,How much is enough
When do you slow down.We are really missing out on life in our
scramble for more and more.
Be on the pursuit but don’t be blind to your surroundings,
your loved ones.Don’t drift away from goodness and kindness,
not even these pseudo God men should derail you asa human being.
You will be amazed how money will keep flowing in too.
I Am HappineSS. Thanks for this article.
“SELF-TRUST IS THE ASSENCE OF HEROISM.”
Living and dreaming are two different things-
but you can’t do one without the other.
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act;
but i do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.
money is most important ‘FILLER’of your life.but essence of life is how you live.running after money day/night even after you have enough money is fatal.if you are not spending your quality time with your near,dears and loved ones because of this money race a day wud come that money wud be there with you but not the loved and beloved.this is law of nature.
This is a very powerful thing, which every one must adopt.
This will change ones mind set and thinking. Very good & important information about life!
Well, money may be a necessity for life, but it alone cannot bring happiness.We have to work hard to earn money.We should also try to help others.Only then we can also be happy.Mother Theresa is an example.I don’t say that everyone should become Mother Theresa.If only every one tries to help another within his/her capacity,then this world will become a paradise to live in.
yes money is not everything – but it can still bring happiness if we have spendings like BILL GATES; BIRLSAS; TATAS; Who make charity for the Human cause irrespective of any Nationality but for HUMAN BEING;
Money 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 .
the three basic concepts of being happy in the todays world is wealth wealth wealth whether it is earned in a bad way.
all the above comments are excellent
can do anything can fulfill your requirememnt in hook or crook
“The heart beats best when it beats for others”.
God has made us dependable on other’s for our “Happiness”. Therefore we always desire other’s company. Those who do not, end up quite screwed up in their minds (paronoia & schizophrenia, etc etc)
More important then anything is that you set right your relationship with God. If you rest safe in the knowledge that God cares for you, you will be in a state of constant joy. “Happiness” comes from things that “Happen” around you. Joy comes from God and is irrespective if what happens around us.
Bible says, “Cast all your care upon Him (God) for He cares for you”. When you have the assurance that immaterial of anything that comes on your way God has got your back, you’ll be at peace and will be joyful!
I am of the opinion that mutual respect and understanding between the loving partners is crucial besides the three points stated by you without which nothing will work out.It should be both ways and not one sided for any success.
A very good one. In the present circumstances, we keep running after money and lose human touch / relationship. Sure money can
buy everything, but not happiness and the love of your beloved one’s. Thanks Priya.
very… usefull in over life. excellent tips…
The three things mentioned are ofcoure very essential for maitaining physical ,social and mental welbeing. At the same time pay attention to maintain good health. Be away from smoking drinking, pre and post marital relationships outside marriage. Do not stoop over to peer pressure. Try to say NO and you are great. Health and education – one should crave for. Other things, one will get automatically
Love it, very much positive indeed, the last step flow is like knowing ur self……..good luck writer
Really its work………all should be oriented with it
Yoga yoga yoga…. at least it gave me a lot of peace of mind n a very VERY positive attitude
Hi, money doen,t give us happiness for ever, but without money everybody will be sad.
Hai des….
I always be happy coz……………..!!!!!!!!
“Be d first person 2 say sorrywhen d other person is angry with you and
be the first person to forgive if the person says sorry to you”
Pls try this ok…
very very practical bt sometimes depends on situation which may not b supportive to hold this thought!!!!!!!!!!!then?
It is very simple if you want to cry why sit on road sit in mercedece and cry
HI PRIYA
ALL AER TIPS IS VERY USEFULL I BELIEVE THIS SECRETS TO HAPPINESS
THANKS
How True ! Imple things in life are always free !!
I mean simple
Its a truely enlightening article, it makes you think , i hope i am not sounding over confident when i want to say that you are absolutely empty when you are not happy with yourself no matter whether you have the basic comforts or you are on the pavement if you are not happy within you are useless. i have gone thru the ups and downs and toady when i sit in a plush restaurant alone with a coffee do you think i feel happy?
a bonding, a shoulder to share, a hand to hold makes a lot of difference
We are not living in an ideal world…in my opinion money in this day and age is actually the secret to our happiness and well being.
thank you for your great advise this helps to cure unstopable disease in man continual with this trend.
Really am very happy to read this…:)
Whatever you have explain is very true … and i think most of us realise that money is not real happiness its only a must to pacify our needs in life .. not buying luxuries will make us happy …its the peace of mind is the biggest happiness and treasure for a human being… having a peaceful sleep is the biggest happiness not getting frustrating how will i sleep if a thief comes to my house and steal my money….
Hello fellow friends,
Yes,It is true that money can’t buy happiness,but isn’t it nice to cried out inside a Ferrari car than in a public utility vehicle? Hmmm…many people set there mentally thinking that when we say about happiness its all about money, Isn’t it? They are very wrong. Happiness means it is a feelings. A feeling for both poor or rich, child or adult, ugly or beautiful or etc.
…to be continued…
Amazing post…if we follow this three steps in our life….definately our lives become much more happier…thanxx