Understanding the Nature of Happiness

Understanding the nature of happiness empowers us to successfully create more happiness in our lives.

In many ways, happiness is like money. So, let’s have some fun using money as an analogy for understanding the nature of happiness a little better.

Life is Much Better With It than Without

Whether it’s money or happiness, having a good amount of it helps us to enjoy life. Conversely, a lack of it causes struggle and hardship.

There’s a Spectrum

In wealth, there is a spectrum that ranges from ‘barely scraping by’ to ‘yacht-owning billionaire.’

Similarly, with happiness, the spectrum can go from quiet contentment to joy and elation.

You can be Born Into It

You can be born into money, and that certainly gives you an advantage over those who aren’t.

In much the same way, you could be born into a happy home and family, and be off to a flying start.

But, if Not, You Can Always Turn It Around

You can be born into absolute poverty and still end up a millionaire.

Similarly, you could be born into difficult circumstances and still create a happy life.

But You Have to Let Go of The Past

In each case, you can only change things for the better if you’re willing to let go of the past.

Habits Play an Important Part

As with money, habits play a large part in determining the amount of happiness we experience in our lives.

And with both, we can choose to let go of habits that don’t serve us, and cultivate ones that do.

It Takes Work

With both money and happiness, there’s work involved, and it helps if you’re willing commit and do whatever it takes to get there.

And with both, if you stop working, you stop seeing the desired results.

‘Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.’
―Aeschylus

Just to clarify, the nature of the ‘work’ required will vary. Often, it’s a case of inner work, or ‘vibrational’ work, as opposed to physical labour.

Both Depend on the Company You Keep

Just like hanging around rich people can help you become rich, hanging around happy people can help you become happier.

And of course, the converse is also just as true for both!

‘Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.’
—Oscar Wilde

You Have Power to Change Things

Although circumstances do play a part, you also get to play a part in how much money or happiness you have in life.

‘Happiness depends upon ourselves.’
—Aristotle

No matter where you find yourself with regard to money or happiness, you can always turn things around and create more of it in your life.

And when you do, your life gets better as a result.

There is no upper limit to either.

And you can lose it all and then go on to make it all (and maybe more) back!

I should know–I lost big time on both counts.

But I’m in the process of bouncing back. I’m putting in the work daily and I feel good and am seeing results!

I hope this will inspire you to keep working on your happiness, because it can and does get better!