Happiness

"Happiness consists not of having, but of being, not of possessing, but of enjoying.  It is the warm glow of a heart at peace with itself.  Absolute, perfect, continuous happiness in life, is impossible for the human.  Happiness is paradoxical because it may coexist with trial, sorrow, and poverty.  It is the gladness of the heart, - rising superior to all conditions.

Place other things higher than your own happiness and it will surely come to you.  The basis of happiness is the love of something outside of self.

Life is not something to be lived through; it is something to be lived up to.  It is a privilege, not a penal servitude of so many decades on earth.

Unhappiness is the hunger to get; happiness is the hunger to give.  If the individual should set out for a single day to give Happiness, to make life happier, brighter and sweeter, not for himself, but for others, he would find a wondrous revelation of what Happiness really is.

These quotes are from an editor/writer named William George Jordan who was sort of an early Self-Help book writer in the late 1800s.  I find some of the writing too flowery and pompous for my tastes but I'm always amazed at how basic spiritual principles are found everywhere, over and over again.  One of my mildly amusing musings is to tell people: "If you want to be really happy think about yourself all day."  

Doesn't work folks.  If you don't believe me read some W.G. Jordan.