What is the Secret of Happiness?

What is the secret of happiness? 

The main reason why most people aren’t happy is because they only see the bad in themselves. 

If you would see the good in yourself, then you would always be happy. 

[Instead we say to ourselves] Look, I am not this, I am not that, I am not worth anything. I am intrinsically bad.  

We only see the bad in ourselves, and therefore, we fall into sadness. 

Therefore, this is the most important piece of advice to be happy. 

Every time that the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) comes to you to tell you how evil you are, and how you are this and that, [You say back to him] I’ve got this notebook and every day I am filling it up. 

Because even the simplest Jew or Jewess, is filled with mitzvot like the pomegranate. They fulfill endless commandments every day. 

And every person is filled with good deeds. 

All the time people who are sad come to me, and I tell them, “Do you know why you’re sad? Because you persecute and blame yourself. You see only the bad in yourself – so you’re sad.” 

So, take a little notebook and a pen, and start writing. How good you are! 

Okay, you have an Evil Inclination.  

The moment that you are able to reveal your real will, your real desire [to be good], and believe in your real desire [to be good], this is the point [you need to understand], this is the strongest thing, to help you to be happy – always! The very best way to become happy. There is nothing else that is stronger!