HOW TO BE HAPPY
BY KYLE IDLEMAN
[Foreword for the upcoming book, Wise Guys by Kent Evans.
Available June 1, 2016.] by Kyle Idleman
We want to be happy.
We live in a country dedicated to giving us
the right to the “pursuit of happiness.” We’re
convinced that happiness is out there; we just
need to catch it. So we chase after it. We have
an “if only” mindset.
·
If only … I could make just a little more
money, then I’d be happy.
·
If only … I got married, then I’d be happy.
·
If only … I was married to someone else,
then I’d be happy.
·
If only … we had kids, we’d be happy.
·
If only … our kids would move out, we’d
be happy.
·
If only … I got promoted.
·
If only … I had a different job. I’d be happy.
·
If only … I had my own home.
·
If only … I could sell my home. I’d be
happy.
Is that you? What do you think you’d need to
be happy?
The truth is you wouldn’t be happy.
Research shows none of these things have
the power to bring lasting happiness. Studies reveal that circumstances count for about
10% of our happiness. At most, they may
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have the power to make us feel happy for a
very short while. It’s like the toys kids get for
Christmas. They’re ecstatic when they unwrap them, and a few weeks later those toys
are sitting on the closet floor, next summer
they’re in a garage sale.
We see this all the time. People who have the
kinds of things we long for are not happy.
Good looking celebrities who have millions
of dollars, and gorgeous homes, and fancy
cars, and go on exotic trips admit their lives
feel empty, and far too often turn to drugs or
even try to end their lives.
Happiness is not something that happens
when our circumstances change. Unhappy
single people don’t find happiness on their
wedding day. No, u