What do you think is missing from your life today?

Most of us often think that happiness will come when we buy that thing that we have been longing for, or when we find that person that we desire, or when we live in the house we want. But happiness doesn’t work that way. The kind of happiness that comes from external sources is a momentary feeling that goes away soon after we obtain that for which we long for.

Instead of chasing after happiness endlessly, think of what is missing from your life to feel joy. Joy is a more resilient feeling that comes from our overall satisfaction with life. It begins with how we feel about ourselves; how much we know ourselves, how much we like ourselves, how much we love ourselves. When we know ourselves and we accept who we are, we start to experience life in a way that the ups and downs don’t feel as extreme.

So start by making a list of what you feel is missing from your life to feel joy. Think of how you feel about yourself, your friends, your family, your financial stability and anything else you consider the backbone of a happy life. Review that list often and work towards getting those things that will truly make a difference.