A Bit of Optimism Revisited: Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with Happiness Expert Mo Gawdat
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Dec 23, 2025 
Mo Gawdat, a former Chief Business Officer at Google X and bestselling author, shares insights from his journey through tragedy to find happiness. He reveals that happiness is a choice and our natural default but often buried under survival instincts. Mo discusses how joy and grief can coexist, the importance of living in the present, and actionable strategies for removing unhappiness. He emphasizes that focusing on small joys and embracing change can transform our lives and even create a ripple effect towards making a billion people happy.
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Loss That Sparked A Mission
- Mo Gawdat described losing his son Ali after a routine surgery and how that event propelled him to write about happiness days later.
- He framed Ali as a wise presence who taught him clarity and purpose long before his death.
Money's Value Depends On Intention
- Giving money away can produce more joy than hoarding it, because money is a symbol whose value depends on intention.
- Mo finds generous giving aligns with his values and reduces unhappiness from excess wealth.
Weekly Stress Inventory
- Do a weekly stress stock-take and remove or address items causing ongoing stress.
- Scratch out or act on each stressor so it doesn't carry into the next week.
