The first lesson I have learned throughout my search for happiness over the past year, and probably the most vital, is the importance of self-assessment and introspection. Happiness is fundamentally anchored by our own understanding of ourselves and the continual self-assessment we complete within our minds. Introspection and the ability to critically assess ourselves are imperative in our search for happiness.

It is easy to evaluate ourselves based on external influences, societal expectations, other people’s perspectives of us, and a synthetically generated idea of who and what we should be in order to achieve happiness within our lives. However, that perspective can have detrimental consequences on our ability to achieve happiness. Although it may have the capacity to succeed to an extent, it will generally always end in failure. True happiness is our own ability to be happy with ourselves, understand who we are, and choose the people we wish to be in line with our values and expectations of ourselves.

In life, it is easy to portray an understanding of ourselves and say that this is the way. However, in reality, being honest with ourselves can sometimes be the most difficult, especially if what we believe and the person we truly wish to become go against external expectations of us. With the world creating an image of what it expects of us, it creates a barrier for everyone to prevent them from potentially becoming the person they wish to become. Instead, they become a meld of the person the world wants them to be.

When we are honest with ourselves and with the world regarding who we wish to become, what we wish to become, and the life we wish to live, then happiness is the outcome. Through our self-assessment, continual introspection, and true unwavering belief and understanding of ourselves, we set the tone and help form a solid foundation in our own search for happiness.

All that truly matters is that when we look inside ourselves, are we happy with the person we see, the person we feel, and the person we are or wish to become. If we are honest with ourselves and choose to pursue that vision unwaveringly, then happiness will always be present in our lives.

Think, do, and be happy.

Thanks,

Dean