//Life Is – Facebook – 4/29/2024//
The Secret to a Happy Life
The Secret to the Good Life
What is the essential ingredient to the good life?
Since Aristotle first spoke of “the good life” almost 2,500 years ago, it seems everyone has been on a quest to experience it. I have heard many people speak about it and I have read many books on the subject. Some people think it’s about success and accomplishment. Others think it’s about money and things. Some think it’s about love and family. Others think it’s about food, wine, travel, adventure, education, meaningful work, independence, friendship, and pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with these things, unless these things are all you’ve got. Because even all of these things together will not deliver the good life.
There is only one ingredient essential to the good life. So essential that without it, the good life is impossible. You would think that such an ingredient would be widely sought after. It isn’t. You might think that such an ingre- dient is scarce. It isn’t. You may think this ingredient is expensive. It isn’t. You may think people would be clam- oring to get their hands on it. They aren’t.
When people talk about the good life, you get the impression that it is mysterious and only available to a select few people. This isn’t true. There is no secret to the good life. It isn’t a mystery. No exceptional talent is required. It isn’t only for the rich and famous. It is available to everyone, everywhere, at all times.
What is the essential ingredient of the good life? Goodness itself. The secret to the so-called good life has always been right before our very eyes. If you wish to live the good life, fill your life with goodness. Fill your life with love, kindness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.
Resisting Happiness with Matthew Kelly – #27 of 30 The Secret to Excellence
Meditation of the Day – God Sees You in Secret
“God sees you in secret. Know that he sees into your very depths, infinitely farther than you do yourself. Make a simple, lively act of faith in his presence. Christian soul, place yourself entirely under his gaze. He is very near. He is present, for he gives being and motion to all things. Yet you must believe more; you must believe with a lively faith that he is present to you by giving you all of your good thoughts from within, as holding in his hand the source from which they come, and not only the good thoughts, but also whatever good desires, good resolutions, and every good act of the will, from its very first beginning and birth to its final perfection. Believe, too, that he is in the souls of the just, and that he makes his dwelling there within, according to these words of the Lord: ‘We will come to him and make our home with him’ (John 14:23). He is there in a stable and permanent way: he makes his home there. Desire that he should be in you in this way. Offer yourself to him as his dwelling and temple. Now come out, and with the same faith that enables you to see him within you, look upon him in Heaven, where he manifests himself to his beloved. It is there that he awaits you. Run. Fly. Break your chains; break all the bonds that tie you down to flesh and blood. O God, when shall I see you? When will I have that pure heart that enables you to be seen, in yourself, outside of yourself, everywhere? O Light that enlightens the world! O Life that gives life to all the living! O Truth that feeds us all! O Good that satisfies us all! O Love that binds all together! I praise you, my heavenly Father, who sees me in secret.”
— Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, p.4-5
The 4 Essentials for Happiness
If you’re wondering how to be happy, you might be surprised by what I’m about to share with you.
There is no “secret” to happiness.
We all know the things that make us happy; we just don’t do them. We need reminders from time to time to focus on the things that will actually make us happy.
There are four areas that are absolutely essential to human happiness: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.
1. Physically, when you exercise regularly, sleep regularly, eat the right sorts of foods, and balance your diet, how do you feel? You feel fantastic. You feel more fully alive. You’re healthier, happier, and you have a richer, more abundant experience of life.
2. Emotionally, when you give focus and priority to your relationships, what happens? You switch the focus off yourself and onto others. As you do, your ability to love increases . . . and as your ability to love increases, your ability to be loved increases. You become more aware of yourself, develop a more balanced view of life, and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. You’re healthier. You’re happier.
3. Intellectually, when you take ten or fifteen minutes a day to read a good book, what happens? Your vision of yourself expands; your vision of the world expands. You become more focused, more alert, and more vibrant. Clarity replaces confusion. You feel more fully alive, and you are happier.
4. Finally, spiritually, when you take a few moments each day to step into the classroom of silence and reconnect with yourself and with your God, what happens? The gentle voice within grows stronger, and you develop a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and direction. You’re healthier, you’re happier, and you have a richer experience of life.
Eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly are just a few ways to be a happier person. We all know the things that make us happy. But we don’t do those things.
Physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually . . . we know the things that infuse our lives with passion and enthusiasm. We know the things that make us happy. We just don’t do them. It doesn’t make sense, does it?
On the one hand, we all want to be happy in life. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy. But we don’t do those things.
Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy. That is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age.
Ready for a radically simple way to start making your life far happier very quickly?
What is one small step I can take today to improve?
Sit down for ten minutes. Ten quiet minutes. Be completely honest with yourself. How are you doing physically? What about emotionally? Intellectually? Spiritually?
How are you? Then ask yourself: “What is one small step I can take today to improve in each area?” Here are some simple examples:
1. Physically: Today I will eat a healthy lunch at my desk and then take a walk during my lunch hour.
2. Emotionally: Today I will call my mom on my way home from work.
3. Intellectually: Today I will find an interesting podcast to listen to on the way into work.
4. Spiritually: Tonight, before bed, I will sit somewhere quiet. I will relax my mind and write down four more steps like these for tomorrow.
Try this today and see if you have a better day than usual.
Make time for the things that actually make you happy.
If you feel like it works, then try it for a week. Then a month! You may be amazed at how much better you feel—physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually!
You might even consider doing it for a lifetime.Instead of asking yourself “How can I be happy?” try asking yourself “How can I make time today to do the things I know make me happy?”We have to start making time for the things that actually make us happy—before we run out of the time we have. So start today!
AUTHOR: Brad Torline