That’s a funny coincidence with the yin yang image. I quite like the design of it. It’s very harmonious.

The dramas can easily take over if I’m not aware, but on the other hand, they can be quite fun if you’re aware while they happen.

Thanks a lot for popping in to say hi!

I completely agree that happiness can be achieved. It completely depends on how you look at it. The perspective I used in this article is one where total happiness cannot be achieved.

We all have our own experiences of life and different words mean different things to us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Very thought provoking and interesting!

I agree with and resonate with everything you say . . . . . . except for your title. Here’s a little taste of what I’ve learned about “happiness” so far (and trust me, I’ve put some serious study into the topic, ’cause when I was anything but “happy” when I was in my 20′s).

I am now convinced that “happy” or “happiness” is a synonym for “being connected to the reality of yourself in the present moment” or one of my “book titles” (future books) is “Happy is Who You Are”. So I do believe (No! It’s more than a belief) that you can achieve “total happiness”, if you translate “happiness” to mean “being aware of and accepting of your Reality Self in the present moment” ’cause that’s how I now understand “happiness” and I’m happy in those moments of the day “when I am me”. I’m no longer “looking for” or “pursuing” happiness (I’m happy to report), but I am working at improving my skill at staying more consistently “aware and accepting of my Reality Self” in more of the moments and situations of each day. (“Reality Self” means the Whole You — including your strengths and weaknesses and your life situation in each moment.)

Thanks for your post and thanks for letting me contribute to the discussion and learning.

I think there is definitely a yin and yang that you talk about in life. I’ve seen it in my own life and it’s only when I decided that I would approach everything with peace that i started to really enjoy my life. In many ways, I think the roller coaster ride is a necessary part of life in order to help us grow. Additionally, without a little bit of a roller coaster ride, life just might not be that interesting.

Thanks for stopping by, Jean!

Trying to work with clients who overwhelm themselves (and try to pull me into it!) with trivial tasks has been something that makes me want to pull my hair out at times. Now I can just point them here for lessons in how to achieve balance, priorities, and productivity along with some ideas for rest and relaxation!

You’ve made my job easier! Thanks!

I think the biggest problem regarding happiness is that people in Western countries have wrong beliefs regarding what things produce lasting happiness and which ones do not. We have been socially conditioned to believe that a new car or a bigger house will bring happiness, and of course they do – they give a little boost for a short time, and then the happiness goes back to the level where it was before the purchase.

Things that bring us long-lasting true happiness, are not externally motivated things, but rather internally motivated things, just like you indicated in your article, such as finding and following one’s own passion, committing to goals, maintaining good relationships, creating healthy habits, taking care of the body and soul, living in the present and so on.

How much do the aforementioned things cost? Nothing. That might be the problem, because it is much more difficult for greedy people to make money if no one wants to attend the hollow rat race anymore just to get a new car, new brand clothes or a luxury apartment that one even really does not need.

These things have been thoroughly researched, but still we believe what the advertisers tell us, and even the success of nations is still measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whereas it should be measured by Gross Domestic Happiness.

I don’t watch TV anymore or hang out with people who believe that a new BMW will make them happy. That’s my secret for a happy life.

Interestingly enough, my estimates have become more accurate, so it just shows you that you have to account for the unknown. You never know what will happen, and you never know when your goals may change, so enjoy the ride!