Being happy is not important to us. It is extremely important.

In fact, being happy is so important to us, that we pursue it through every single thing we do, through everything we have ever done, and through everything we will ever do.

You're Kidding Me, Right?

No, I'm not! There are two approaches to being happy, but we're aware of only one.

The Direct Approach to Being Happy

Sometimes we pursue happiness directly. We watch a movie or go on holiday because doing these things makes us happy - directly. We expect happiness as the outcome.

The Idirect Approach to Being Happy

Most of the happiness we pursue in life, is done so indirectly or subconsciously.

We do these type of things not because they make us happy, but we do them to avoid unhappiness. If we can avoid unhappiness, we can only be left with happiness or contentment - at least that is how we reason subconsciously.

But I Don't Eat or Work to be Happy?

Yes, you do!

When you are hungry, you are unhappy. You then eat to still the hunger, because by stilling the hunger you make the associated unhappiness go away. You are actually eating to move from your unhappy state (hungry) to a happy one (hunger stilled).

You therefore eat to be happy.

Similarly, you are unhappy when you don't have money. You then work to earn money so you can eradicate the unhappiness associated with not having money.

By eradicating the unhappiness (no money), you are moving toward happiness (have money).

You therefore work to be happy.

People not working for the money are also pursuing happiness. However, they pursue it more directly. The love for what they do, or the feeling of giving without compensation, gives them a kick, and that is what makes them happy.

Since everything we do is in pursuit of happiness, one would expect society to focus a lot more on understanding this emotion. After all, that is ultimately the reason for everything we do?

Society Makes Happiness an If-Then Emotion

Rather than teaching us how happiness works, society presents us with stepping-stones on the road to happiness, such as: if you study this, you will get that job, and then you will be happy.

If you own this, you will impress your friends, and then you will be happy.

If you eat healthy and exercise regularly, you will lose those pounds, and then you will be happy.

These if-then stepping-stones do give us a shot at some happiness, but they do not help us understand happiness. We need to understand happiness, and not the stepping-stones, if we want to make happiness happen for ourselves.

If we don't understand how happiness works, our happiness will always be dependant on achieving something, or buying something before we allow ourselves to be happy.

How sad is that, and how much happiness are we missing out on with this approach!

Happiness is a complex puzzle. Every chapter of Lucky Go Happy : Make Happiness Happen! covers a piece of that puzzle and provides insights into the workings of happiness.

Lucky Go Happy : Make Happiness Happen! will make you understand happiness, so you can make happiness happen for yourself, and for those around you.

Paul Van Der Merwe is the author of Lucky Go Happy : Make Happiness Happen!

Lucky Go Happy : Make Happiness Happen! now available at:

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