Understanding Happiness

Happiness is largely influenced by how individuals view their past and future, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a useful past to enhance present satisfaction. Positive psychology suggests that happiness in the present is significantly affected by a person's sense of purpose and clarity regarding their future. This includes reframing past experiences, even traumatic ones, to extract value and build confidence. Developing a grateful and constructive relationship with both past and future selves is essential for making better current life decisions.