Four Pillars of Happiness

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

I am on an Arthur Brooks kick right now. Arthur Brooks is a Harvard professor that teaches the science of happiness. I watched a podcast with him on the Diary of a CEO and it intrigued me enough to get a book he wrote called ‘From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.’ I loved that book so much I read a book that is coauthored with Oprah called ‘Build the Life You Want.’ Something that is reoccurring throughout both books is the importance of getting outside of yourself. Think about how you can benefit others by utilizing your strengths.

The four pillars of happiness according to Arthur are Faith, Family, Friends, and meaningful work. Every single one of these things requires us to get outside of ourselves and to serve others.

If you find yourself in a lower vibration, try building onto one or more of these pillars and see what it does to your overall wellbeing. I am a hands-on learner and believe in testing what I learn in the real world. Try to find a way to strengthen your connection with god, organize a family dinner, invite a close friend to have a coffee, and/or find meaning in your work-a place where we spend the bulk of our time here on earth. We all can serve according to MLK you just need a heart full of grace.

“Start each day saying I don’t know what this day will bring, but I will love others and allow myself to be loved.” Arthur Brooks