We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life.
But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.
So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are.
Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:
1. Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.
2. Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think“I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.
3. Flow. This is a popular concept on the Internet these days — the state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you.
You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them!（优美英语散文 www.lyy5.com）
翻译：
我们都知道金钱买不来幸福，但我们都表现出如果我们的钱再多点就会更幸福的样子。我们习惯于想要变的更有钱(当我们知道富人也并不快乐);在电视看到些最新的玩意儿或是最潮的风格，我们也想要赚更多的钱因为那样我们将会拥有更好的生活。
但那些都不会带给我们幸福。不管我们挣多少钱，不管我们在银行拥有多少存款，不管我们的衣服汽车玩具有多好，它们都不会让我们更快乐。令人难过的是在我们明白这一点之前，它会让我们一直追求财富和奢侈品。
那么，究竟什么能带给我们幸福呢?幸运的是，有三样东西，它们不需要花费其他任何。这三样是被研究证明的——这项研究调查了数以十万的人们，包括他们拥有什么，他们的生活怎么样以及他们有多快乐。
那么，下面就是幸福的三个秘密：
1、良好的关系。我们同他人的亲近、亲密是人类的需求。拥有良好的、支持性的友谊、牢固的婚姻或是同家庭成员紧密有爱的关系会使我们更可能快乐。动作步骤：今天就花时间同你爱的人在一起，告诉他们他们之于你的意义，倾听他们所说的，进一步发展同他们的关系。
2、积极的思考。积极思考是达成你目标的最佳方式，我很显然是这一想法的强烈支持者，但同时它也能指引你走向幸福。乐观和自尊是快乐生活的人们的最佳写照。快乐的人们感到充满活力，能够控制他们的生活，同时积极看待生活。动作步骤：把积极思考培养成习惯。事实上，这应该是你首先培养的习惯之一。养成粉碎你的负面想法并用积极的想法替代它们的习惯。用“我能”的想法替代“我不能”。尽管听起来毫无新意，但对我来说每次都很奏效。
3、流动。这是最近网络上一个流行的概念——当我们全神贯注于眼前的工作和任务时我们进入的状态。我们太过沉浸于我们的任务以至于没了时间观念。拥有工作和休闲会让你出于流动的状态，这几乎毫无疑问会让你幸福。当人们被动地没有意识时不会找寻到巨大地愉悦感，这种感觉只有当他们专注于挑战时才能获得。动作步骤：找一份你热爱地工作。这是至关重要地一步。在找一个你有兴趣地爱好。关掉电视机(这是流动的反面)，走到户外，进行些你能够真正参与进去的活动。
你已经获得了通往幸福的三个秘密，请不要浪费它们！
