Secret to Happiness

[riverrat]

Good morning,
    It just hit me today, that a line I heard from the priest at my uncles funeral falls very much in line with 'mustachianism'.   He said that my uncle had discovered the secret to happiness.   

"happiness is not having what you want...but wanting what you have".    I just thought I would share this line with you all.  My uncle was not a rich man, but he was happy everyday.  It seems like everyone on this forum has already figured this out. 

[TheNorwegianGuy]

Im sorry about your uncle.

But yes that is some wise advice indeed! :)

In fact science back this up quit a bit as well! Just a simple tweek of keeping a gratitude journal have one of the biggest impact on happinees according to several studies (On this website you can see one mans attempt to get an overview of happiness studies), and it is so simple! Beeing grateful for what you already have in your life gives a peace of mind and not at least a clear mind of not always feeling a need and that these need never are satifisfied.

Also, when you start to feeling gratitude for what you have now, you perhaps find it easier to live in the moment and enjoy life the fullest. I know many people in here are so ready to get out of the rat race that they sometimes may be forgetting the present and creating their own little race instead of really take the time to enjoy the journey of life :)

Thank you for the reminder! :)

Audrey Farrel said it well:
"Learn from the past, Live in the present,  Plan for the future"

PS: I also like and recommend MMMs post on Stoicism:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/02/what-is-stoicism-and-how-can-it-turn-your-life-to-solid-gold/

[MoneyCat]

I personally think the secret to happiness is beer.

[apfroggy0408]

My secret

Is just being happy lol.

http://www.liveliftsit.com/being-grateful-your-key-to-happiness/

[ThriftyD]

Sorry to hear about your uncle.  Sounds like he was a great man who had a positive effect on those around him. 

TheNorwegianGuy hit the nail on the head.  "Also, when you start to feeling gratitude for what you have now, you perhaps find it easier to live in the moment and enjoy life the fullest.  I know many people in here are so ready to get out of the rat race that they sometimes may be forgetting the present and creating their own little race instead of really take the time to enjoy the journey of life :)" 

Very true.  Since I discovered this blog in January, my outlook completely changed in life, though my day-to-day circumstances aren't really that much different than my pre-Mustachian days.  I still have the same job, the same 'extracirricular' obligations, live in the same city, etc.  However, I've changed my focus to realize what's truly important.  I've learned to be happy with what I have and put less importance on material things.  And while my new goal is to achieve FIRE, I'm starting to understand that it's not a race and I'm not competing against anyone to become financially independent.  Instead, becoming FIRE is a secondary 'byproduct,' if you will, to living a simpler, slower, more Stoic life.

[happy]

Having the right handle helps ;)     

[lizzzi]

"Simpler, slower, more Stoic life." Yes, plus one to that.

river rat, sorry about your uncle.

[soccerluvof4]

Being able to do what , when I want.  Eliminating as much stress and negative influences out of my life.  Surrounding myself by loved ones and good people,  and having good health is to me the secret of happiness.

[LennStar]

"happiness is not having what you want...but wanting what you have".    I just thought I would share this line with you all.  My uncle was not a rich man, but he was happy everyday.  It seems like everyone on this forum has already figured this out.

I am quite sure you would like raptitude.
http://www.raptitude.com/
It is more or less centered around that age-old wisdom.

[MrFancypants]

"happiness is not having what you want...but wanting what you have". 

I love it.

Rest in peace, good sir.

[G-dog]

I personally think the secret to happiness is beer.

. “ Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.” ― W.C. Fields.
‎

[James81]

I think happiness is something we choose. I don't think you can ever find happiness by pursuing it. You have to take control of your thoughts and find perspectives on your life that give you confidence, that inspire you to take action, and cause you to feel good about yourself.

Too often we refuse to make the hard choices that would give us access to that happiness. Hard choices like cutting someone out of our lives, or choosing to walk away from a situation that is making us unhappy.

[arebelspy]

I think happiness is something we choose.

Absolutely.  As Abraham Lincoln said: "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

[Retired To Win]

"happiness is not having what you want...but wanting what you have". 

I love it.

Rest in peace, good sir.

I would also apply that mindset to what you DO.  Want a local vacation in a national park instead of wanting a trip to Paris.  Want a picnic with your family instead of a high-priced dinner at a fancy restaurant.  And so on.

It makes life a WHOLE LOT more pleasant.

[Threshkin]

"happiness is not having what you want...but wanting what you have".

This is very close to my philosophy towards life.  It has two parts.

"If you don't like what you are doing, do something else!"

I adopted this attitude when I was 18.  At first I only applied it to work but later realized that it applied to everything in life.

"Like what you do!"

This is a critical part of my personal happiness.  There are always good and bad aspects of everything you do.  Focus on the good stuff and you will stay happy.