I have read a number of books and articles on happiness and had many conversations on the topic over the past years.
I know that some quotes indicate that the second you start "looking" for happiness, it disappears. I can understand that in part because the minute you start inspecting your life and taking it apart, the higher the chances that you stumble upon some aspects of your life that aren't so great. Still, I believe that you should take an introspective approach and see how you could increase your overall level of happiness.
There are only 3 things at this particular point in my life (though pretty big things) that I believe would considerably increase my own happiness and personal well-being:
1) Attitude. A positive attitude is pretty much key. Having a better attitude would certainly result in a net gain in happiness.
2) Meeting the Right Person. Having a partner in life to experience and share life with...seems fairly obvious at this point. Studies and experience leave me with conviction and total confidence that this is a huge and important component to hapiness.
3) Finding the right Career. Speaks for itself and similar to #2. People need a purpose in life. Figure out your unique and special talents and how to apply them in the real world.
That was a bit of an aside though, the main reason I am writing this is to state something that may already be obvious to others, which I've learned time and time again and I hope I don't have to learn it to many MORE times again, but for me, it is such that the best way for me to spread happiness, is to be happy myself. Generally speaking, I am a much nicer, kinder, more forgiving, and loving person to others when I am happy myself and happy with myself. So in a nod to being "selfish" - make yourself happy first so that you are able to give more to others!
A few book recommendations:
Stumbling On Happiness - Daniel Gilbert
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Delivering Happiness - Tony Hsieh
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