If we can accept as true that life circumstances are not the keys to happiness, we'll be greatly empowered to pursue happiness for ourselves.
Sonja LyubomirskyRead
It is equally important to investigate wellness as it is to study misery.
Interpretation
Understanding both wellness and misery is crucial for a complete perspective on human experience.
This quote emphasizes the significance of exploring both positive and negative aspects of life, suggesting that analyzing happiness and wellness is just as necessary as examining suffering and misery. By doing so, we can gain a more balanced understanding of human emotions and experiences, leading to a holistic approach to well-being and mental health.
In practice
In a mental health seminar, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of studying both happiness and suffering.
If we can accept as true that life circumstances are not the keys to happiness, we'll be greatly empowered to pursue happiness for ourselves.
Happiness is not out there for us to find. The reason that it's not out there is that it's inside us.
People prone to joyful anticipation, skilled at obtaining pleasure from looking forward and imagining future happy events, are especially likely to be optimistic and to experience intense emotions.
The combination of rumination and negative mood is toxic. Research shows that people who ruminate while sad or distraught are likely to feel besieged, powerless, self-critical, pessimistic, and generally negatively biased.
Thus the key to happiness lies not in changing our genetic makeup (which is impossible) and not in changing our circumstances (i.e., seeking wealth or attractiveness or better colleagues, which is usually impractical), but in our daily intentional activities.
I prefer to think of the creation or construction of happiness, because research shows that it's in our power to fashion it for ourselves.
When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always get worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.
My main piece of advice would be don't worry about being published - just write a really good book, but also don't be afraid to write a bad book. Give yourself permission to fail, and don't be afraid.
The greatest discovery of the 19th century was not in the realm of the physical sciences, but the power of the subconscious mind touched by faith. Any individual can tap into an eternal reservoir of power that will enable them to overcome any problem that may arise. All weaknesses can be overcome, bodily healing, financial independence, spiritual awakening, and prosperity beyond your wildest dreams. This is the superstructure of happiness.
I believe every one of us possesses a fundamental right to tell our own story.
There will always be people in your life who treat you wrong. Be sure to thank them for making you strong.
Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become. My father always said that... and I think I am fine.
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