Discovering true happiness is a journey that can't be rushed. I learned that even if you meticulously follow the advice of others and conform to societal norms, you may still find yourself feeling displaced. Why? Because you might not have ever truly listened to your own desires.

The most impactful decision I made was to tune into my inner voice. I tuned out unsolicited advice, and the constant "shoulds" that surrounded me. Yes, I stumbled along the way. I made mistakes that still linger in my memory, hurting both myself and those I cared about.

You see, the process of self-discovery isn't always smooth sailing; it can be messy and bewildering. It requires you to confront yourself, question your choices, and challenge the status quo. It means being the person who dares to be different, who refuses to settle.

Yet, embarking on this journey is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It propels you toward understanding what your unique version of happiness entails. When you grow on your own terms and unearth what genuinely matters to you, you start crafting your own path. You live life on your own terms, you love authentically, and you become the person you've always aspired to be, not the one others expected you to become. And that, my friend, is a beautiful transformation.

In the end, life is about making yourself proud on your own terms. It's about discovering a happiness that aligns with your true self. ~RS

Inspiring Stories

 “Stop the War”
A painting by a 9-year-old Ukrainian boy, Davyd Liashchenko, is set to be auctioned among 150 works of art to raise money for Ukraine. All proceeds will go to the artists and their communities to support them amid the war. See the art.

Gone fishing
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center offers a program that takes physical therapy patients fishing to boost their confidence during the rehabilitation process. “We’re actually taking them in the community to be able to see what it’s like before they go home,” one organizer said.

Post of the Day

@miaowlexThis compliment is so specific, and so impactful as a result. “Honestly made my day significantly better,” the original poster added.

How can I avoid burnout working a 9-to-5 and a side hustle?

FEATURED EXPERT

Mallory Rowan

Entrepreneur, speaker, and content creator

Give yourself time. Whenever we’re looking at our career or starting a business, there tends to be an underlying fear of scarcity. I always say entrepreneurship is a bait-and-switch because you think you’re signing up to start a business, but you’re really signing up for a crash course in personal development. It really forces you to look within and deal with a lot of the feelings that come up in the process.

Take it slow, touch base often with your initial goal or reason for starting the business, and focus on making decisions that will have a stronger impact in the long term vs. making split decisions for short-term gain. Your business and your health will thrive when you think long term, instead of focusing on survival in the short term.