[more_corn]

Happiness is fleeting and empty emotional calories. I recommend abandoning it as a goal entirely.

Satisfaction is the North Star. Difficult things don’t bring happiness but doing them well brings satisfaction. Climbing a mountain, completing a hard bike ride. Finishing a project.

In this way the optimal path through a difficult situation brings satisfaction making the whole experience worthwhile.

Satisfaction is lasting, deep and meaningful. It grants meaning even to suffering and unhappiness.

Being sore doesn’t bring happiness, but it’s a reminder of work done well. Unpleasant circumstances don’t bring happiness, but handling them well creates that other emotion.

Building something is satisfying, loving and being dependable are satisfying, being professional and doing good work… You get the idea.

You can keep your happiness. I’m taking the next level.