It works like this: there are three things that must occur for you to achieve what the ancient Greek philosophers called eudaemonia. That is a word that has no exact match in the English language, but it essentially means being content and satisfied with your life just as it is actually lived. I assume that is what you mean by being “truly happy”? (Unfortunately, the English word “happiness” has many different and ambiguous meanings — not so with the Greek word.)
First, you must be healthy and secure. So make that your top priority by making sure to the best of your ability that you pursue only healthful activities; and you should avoid dangerous and unhealthy environments to the extent that you are able.
Second, every person has abilities, shortcomings, hopes, dreams, talents, aspirations, needs, and wants. We all get our very own set of those ever changing things. They are dynamic and not static goals. They change as you change. Thus, at any given moment in time you should do your best to work towards satisfying/achieving/overcoming that set of things as best as you are able to do so. No one should expect more from you than that. It is really all you can do.
Third, everyone should have one or more partners in life to help them navigate the rocks and shoals of life’s hazardous journey. It’s not something you should attempt all on your own. You’re going to need (hopefully) a significant other, family, and friends to travel with you on that journey. They, in turn, will need your assistance also. That’s the way that works.
If you do those three things then I guarantee you that you will achieve the greatest happiness that you could possibly achieve under your own particular circumstances. That is what it takes. Life is an adventure if you make it one. Don’t be afraid to do so.
C’est, la vie.
I believe we can …it's the long way around though . ALONE , you can be happy if you feel and know you are truly loved ..EVEN if that person isn't sitting physically NEXT TO YOU . ( although it isn't TRUE Love , haven't scammers PROVED this theory by telling women they are Loved across OCEANS !? )
But let's make this TRUE LOVE. It is the Fountain of Youth and it involves much Happiness .
Excercise makes one happier yes? The motivation to EXCERCISE often comes from Love too. To have the energy to self care. Who sits alone and thinks “ what's the use”? But with LOVE it's not just you want to LOOK GOOD , you want to LIVE LONGER to keep the happiness going on and on !
Self confidence . Sure you can build YOURSELF UP to a degree too. With self talks . But there's not motivation as in TRUE LOVE , where another shows you all your qualities , and builds them UP even MORE ! TRUEST LOVE is never stagnant..all that is good and beautiful can only GROW over time .
PEACE is Happiness . You can tell who's most at Peace who sleeps so soundly at night. Love makes one feel safe, warm, and Peaceful . In fact, Love make one feel a power within themself as well, so they naturally become BRAVER . All hell can break loose around them ! Yes indeed , and sometimes it does! But with a Partner, with truest Love , you just KNOW you'll RISE above it, clinging tight to each other , how COULD you fall ? You become as each other's ROCK in many ways .
There's is no depletion of independence or Pride in needing TRUE LOVE. There is no need for lies, because the Truth Will eventually show itself. BUT with truest Love, there are no secrets , and nothing TO hide . Maximum Happiness is in finding truest Love . If we ALL could just be so lucky !
Yes. Forget your need to ‘be happy’ and do whatever comes to you to do for others to help them hope and keep strong. Invest yourself in making your corner of the world a kinder, more peaceful place. Help to build up a stronger emotional economy wherever you go. Satisfy your curiosity about the people you meet so you can see the world from their perspective even if for only a few minutes. Dive deeply into something that means something to you because it's so cool, so strange, or because it's so weird, so different from what everyone else is involved in.
And when someone calls you weird, smile and say something like, “Thanks!” Because most people are so busy trying to be just like everyone else, they're miserable.
