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> The key to happiness is to do those things that make you happy while you do them.

Exactly. It's not about reaching the destination. It's about enjoying the journey.

> Sacrificing your personal now for a better future is one of those church ideals that always struck me as weird.

I think in certain ways they're valid, but more for creating circumstances that will allow you to do fulfilling things in the future. Taking care of your body now to avoid health issues in the future, saving now so you don't have to worry about money in the future.

I guess a common baseline requirement for happiness is a sense of freedom. A healthy body gives you freedom to move (move in the broadest sense of the word, meaning also mobility, being able to pick something up from the floor without too many aches and pains), some financial backing means you're not constantly worrying about where your next meal comes from, so you're free to think about other things.

< Exercise will make you happy, but only while you're doing it. Getting a raise will make you happy, but only for a short time period after that raise. "Having" a relationship won't make you that happy, but the process of building the relationship is highly enjoyable.

Hey, thank you for crystallising such a fundamental and valuable piece of wisdom so neatly.