And the Answers are . . . :


life is way too (fabulously and marvelously) complex for anyone
to tell you "what to do."  the best you can hope for is some
guidance, from people you trust and who care about you, that
you can piece together into a plan that seems like a good one
to start you on path to where you want to go, knowing that you
will need to make constant adjustments along the way.

Hang in there.


 –  –  –  – 


There's no happiness. Only moments of happiness. Or something.
Revel in the moments, I suppose.


 –  –  –  – 


Dear Michael,

So glad you asked. In my personal experience, the
simple secret to enduring human happiness in this world is:

   Like I know the answer!  Hrrrrummmph!  But I will let you
   in on rumors I've heard about it.

      1.  People feel happy/contented when they stop thinking
      about themselves and are engaged in thinking about/doing
      things for others.

      2.  People tend to feel happy in the midst of very simple,
      (usually free) activities.  Hiking always makes me feel
      better, and typically the longer the hike the better I
      feel.  Ditto motorcycle riding.  And bicycle riding.   I
      often feel happy when I'm so deeply engrossed in a book
      that I've forgotten all about all of the things I was
      worrying about.  Solving some technical problem at work
      about which I was tense gives me a tremendous feeling of
      satisfaction.
      
      3.  Reframing.  When you are experiencing a situation in
      a way that is making you unhappy, (or tense, nervous,
      etc…), it can completely change if you can detach from
      the feelings about it and see it from a different
      perspective.  I've had a lot of success with this
      technique in relation to unhappy childhood memories and
      experiences. 
      
      4.  Humor, humor, humor.  Humor helps put things in
      perspective, and can often dispel that heavy, unhappy
      feeling.

      5.  Try to find one thing to be happy about each day.
      Ask yourself, 'What am I happy about today?'.  Start
      with something very simple, and move to deeper, more
      profound issues.


Just make sure and do that and you're set!


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Dear Michael,

So glad you asked. In my personal experience, the simple secret
to enduring human happiness in this world is:

Cherishing the little things that make you feel good and
laughing at the big things that stand in your way.

Just make sure and do that and you're set!

Much Love,


 –  –  –  – 


I am not sure if I have an answer, but if you can figure out
how to ask one of these two, you'll be well on your way.




 –  –  –  – 


Dear Michael, 

So glad you asked. In my personal experience, the simple secret
to enduring human happiness in this world is: 

Balance. 

Just make sure and do that and you're set! 


 –  –  –  – 


Dear Michael,

So glad you asked. In my personal experience, the simple secret
to enduring human happiness in this world is:

In the earlier emails I sent that you haven't answered…   :)

Animals to pet and voyages to travel and money without
working….

Just make sure and do that and you're set!


 –  –  –  – 


Dear Michael,

So glad you asked. In my personal experience, the simple secret
to enduring human happiness in this world is:

…lots of cash. It gives you the freedom to do whatever you
want and the power to be able to do that. People pay attention
to an independently wealthy guy. No one cares what a wage
earner thinks (high or low wage).

Just make sure and win the lottery or something and you're set!

That's just my .5 cents, not sure what the exchange rate is.


 –  –  –  – 


Dear Michael,

So glad you asked.  In my personal experience, the simple secret
to enduring human happiness in this world is

1) learn to recognize when you are not content, as opposed to
   momentarily unhappy.
2) realize that if you are not content, you can and should
   change something.
3) change something.  preferably the right thing, but if not,
   go to 1).
4)
5) take over the world!/profit!, depending on your goal.

Just make sure and do that and you're set!

(though i would surely like to know what other people think,
as well.)