Winspiration Day 2013: Aspects of happiness

At a Winspiration Day event in Sarasota (Florida), I had the opportunity to speak about Purpose and the Human Development Index.

The theme of this year's Winspiration Day was happiness, so I referenced a book by Bronnie Ware, The Five Things Dying People Regret Most:

  1. "I wish I had had the courage to live my own life."
  2. "I wish I hadn't worked so much."
  3. "I wish I had had the courage to express my feelings."
  4. "I wish I had kept in touch with my friends."
  5. "I wish I had allowed myself to be happier."

Regret is one side of the coin. If we turn the coin around, we read on the other side the topics that bring us the greatest fulfillment.

So let's ask ourselves: What if we lived our lives like this?

  1. I decide to live my true purpose!
  2. I only work purpose-driven and self-determined!
  3. I have the courage to express my feelings!
  4. I am in close contact with my real friends!
  5. I allow myself to be happy!

What percentage of you already live these aspects today? 10? 20? Or even 60 or 70 percent? Imagine you could live these aspects 100 percent, day after day.

What would it be like if everyone felt and lived like this? If governments ran their countries in such a way that people were optimally supported to be happy. If companies aligned their products and services accordingly.

Consistently thought through, this would mean that we can all learn to finance ourselves through peace and health and happiness.

The pursuit of happiness is enshrined in the US Constitution. The country of Bhutan measures "gross national happiness" alongside gross national product. How is it for you? Are you already striving for the fulfillment of your purpose and your own personal happiness?

No matter what you have been doing, how you have been living: It's not too late. Start today to realize the five happiness themes. Find a concrete step for each of the topics and implement it over the next five weeks. This can be the start of an even happier life, which I sincerely wish you.

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