Chapter 1: The Wave of Happiness

Today was a remarkable day. A genuine feeling of joy washed over me—one that envelops you like a gentle wave, creating a tingling sensation throughout your body, reminiscent of the excitement felt on Christmas morning.

Do you recall that type of happiness?

I was at the marina, returning to my car after spending some time with my boat. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful glow, and the early winter evening was nothing short of spectacular.

As I paused to admire the view, the sky transitioned into shades of red and burgundy, transforming the blue overhead into a vivid scarlet canvas. It was a scene that compelled anyone to stop and appreciate its beauty, prompting reflections on life and the world around us.

Standing there, I began to take stock of everything, and a profound sense of joy enveloped me. The boatyard was tranquil, the only sounds being the soft slapping of halyards against masts and the distant cries of seagulls. In that serene moment, I found myself contemplating many aspects of my life.

Reflecting on the past, I felt no regret. Yes, I had made mistakes—some significant—but overall, the positives outweighed the negatives. Wisdom had prevailed over foolishness, and good fortune had triumphed over ignorance.

Considering the present, I felt no dissatisfaction. I still possessed my health, wealth, and vitality. While I may not leap out of bed as swiftly as I once did, at an age when many are losing ground, I find myself progressing. After all these years, I remain engaged in life, still "the man in the arena," pursuing my purpose.

Gazing towards the future, I experienced no anxiety.

I understood that I would achieve everything I aimed for in this life. The only barriers were my own doubts and fears. I was determined to accomplish what needed to be done before my time was up.

Standing before that expansive sunset, I felt secure and content. I experienced happiness.

That sunset imparted a crucial lesson: true happiness is contingent upon the harmony of three aspects—past, present, and future.

Genuine happiness emerges when these three states align. When we accept our past, embrace our present, and maintain hope for our future, we uncover true joy.

Visualize this concept as a Venn diagram with three intersecting circles—happiness lies at the center.

While we can find happiness in any one of these states, the truest form occurs when they are all synchronized.

For instance, a promotion at work can spark happiness, as can a nostalgic moment spent reminiscing over family photos. Anticipating future milestones, like retirement or family gatherings, can also bring joy. However, it is only when all three timelines harmonize that we experience authentic happiness.

Humans are unique in that we navigate through the past, present, and future simultaneously.

We often encounter individuals who seem trapped in one temporal state, leading to an imbalance in their lives. They may dwell on the past, fantasize about the future, or voice dissatisfaction with the present.

To attain genuine happiness, we must reconcile our relationships with all three timelines.

Embrace your past: be thankful for the lessons and joys it offers, while accepting the losses.

Appreciate your present: find gratitude in your current circumstances, regardless of their nature. Even if improvements are needed, consider how much worse things might be without what you currently possess.

Look forward to your future: take proactive steps to ensure it is filled with cherished memories and minimal regrets.

As children, we often felt overwhelming joy triggered by the simplest things—from unwrapping gifts to anticipating a fun outing.

Children are naturally attuned to happiness; their three temporal states are inherently aligned. They harbor no regrets about the past, experience joy in their present, and approach the future with excitement, envisioning themselves as astronauts or explorers.

Over time, however, our alignment can falter, leading us to lose our sense of balance in relation to time.

Let’s work to restore that equilibrium among our past, present, and future. By adopting an attitude of gratitude towards all experiences, we can unlock a powerful sense of happiness, allowing us to feel like a child experiencing the joy of Christmas morning once again.

Explore how understanding your life's purpose can lead to happiness.

Chapter 2: Embracing Life's Journey

In this chapter, we delve deeper into the connection between our life's mission and our happiness.

Discover a unique approach to finding true happiness through understanding your mission in life.