Remember that the “Big Bang” achievements are not as important, in terms of life satisfaction, as the sum total of all the little moments. We need to cultivate an appreciation for the little things in life. Being able to recognize the everyday pleasure is every bit as vital as achieving new ones.

In this sense, happy people tend to be more active. They’re not “contend cows”. When you have enormous resource in terms of internal good feeling about yourself, you have an inner sense of buoyancy and are better able to think about doing things to make yourself happier. You tend not to sit back and be content, but identify and achieve what makes you happy.