Advice for a Happy Life
In a fast paced world, we all chase and hustle. In tumultuous times, we tend to hold what we have tightly to our chests. Live for the weekend. Work to live. Wash, rinse, repeat.
The advice for a happy life is don’t chase; rather, embody.
As my teenagers gradually discover what it is they want to pursue in their studies at uni, I've imparted a few key pearls of wisdom to them to live by and to help live a happy life.
Be kind... to everyone.
Find your gifts and share them with the world.
Live with purpose and with an aim to help others.
Lead with conviction but always listen to what others have to say and be willing to change your opinions with more information.
Say you're sorry and accept others' apologies.
Say hello to someone standing alone and invite them into the group. They may end up being your best friend.
Say 'please' and 'thank you'.
Always offer TWICE to do the dishes when you have the privilege of eating at someone else's house.
Always get to know the parents of your friends and listen to their stories.
Carry yourself in the world so that people notice your positive character. (I actually phrase this closer to 'don't make it so I can't go back to that store'.)
Spread light and love first to yourself and then to the world.
AND…
Your smile is your best accessory!
I've been a business leader in the private and public sectors. I've hustled and chased and been at the top of my class and a model employee. I was successful. Yet, I was usually stressed. Burnt out. Unhappy.
What I found, was that my story actually was never about what I had achieved. It is about the stories I write. It is about the lives I have hopefully made an indelible mark on for the better. It is about inspiring and connecting others. It is about my own happiness, found inside regardless of circumstance. It's about making the world a better place. It's about adding light, laughter, and love to the world.
In a recent lecture, I found out about the concept of the Happiness Paradox (Ben-Shahar, 2025). When your goal is happiness in and of itself, it's actually known that we end up less happy! It's only when we look at incremental ways to increase our happiness that we can actually achieve it.
Hence is the advice I give my children, and I hope they give to their children one day. Be kind. Listen to each others' stories. Live with purpose. Make the world a better place. Spread happiness, and you shall be happy.
The Aurelia Network, a branch of 917 Studios, focuses on the use of storytelling to increase the happiness of our employees and our companies to make the places we live and work better for everyone. The resultant offshoot is more productive and profitable companies.
I offer executive coaching, customized curriculum for your employees, public speaking, and coordinated retreats for employees at all levels of your organization. I look forward to working with you soon.
Warmly,
Rebecca
References
Ben-Shahar, T. (2025, August). Foundations of Happiness. [Centenary University].
