Bestselling Author Reveals the Science Behind Happiness: “Take Action and Transform Your Life”

Top-selling writer and columnist Arthur Brooks is motivating individuals to cultivate joy through his work.

The psychologist, who serves as a professor at Harvard University, initiated his study on happiness after realizing he was seeking the same thing – contentment.

He once compared his view of happiness to astronomy," he explained. "Just as an astronomer aims to understand the stars rather than alter them, I saw happiness as something to be studied and appreciated rather than changed.

He attributes his wife with assisting him in altering his perspective during his fifties, mentioning that he feels 60% more content now compared to what he experienced five years prior.

“My spouse mentioned, ‘Isn’t it somewhat ironic that you research happiness yet seem unhappy yourself?’ ... She suggested, ‘Perhaps you should try altering your own state.’ ... So, I altered my routines and subsequently began instructing a course on this subject at Harvard; as a result, my life transformed. Indeed,” Brooks stated.

Brooks' creations have been a source of inspiration for figures such as Oprah, actor Matthew McConaughey, ex-Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, alongside countless individuals across the nation, like David Cornbrooks from Arlington, Virginia.

Cornbrooks mentioned that Brooks' writing assisted him in discovering significance amid a devastating diagnosis. Approximately two years back, Cornbrooks learned that he was dealing with Stage Four lung cancer.

“I must admit, I wasn’t aware that one could develop lung cancer without being a smoker,” Cornbrooks stated. “The initial shock didn’t hit me immediately. Instead, I more or less returned to my normal routine, possibly as a form of denial.”

Cornbrooks said he had the same reaction as a high school senior when his father died. Years later, he struggled with those feelings as a father with two young kids.

“I believe prior to receiving the diagnosis, I had only shed tears a few times throughout my entire life. One such instance was shortly following my father’s passing at the hospital,” Cornbrooks stated. “Since then, I have likely teared up over a dozen times—sometimes with my spouse and even in front of my children. I feel as though I lead a richer, fuller life now.”

He attributes Brooks' writing as being helpful during that period of his life and mentioned that her article titled "The Red Pill of Humility," published in "The Atlantic," deeply connected with him.

"Therefore, humility appears to be the single term and idea he has explored that has struck a chord with many people, essentially encompassing complete acknowledgment of the reality regarding oneself," Cornbrooks stated.

Brooks mentioned that Cornbrooks is transforming his grim prognosis, which is full of suffering and sorrow, into motivation and a valuable lesson for others.

"The Red Pill of Humility" suggests that humility isn’t something most of us naturally seek after all... Mother Nature genuinely does not concern itself with our happiness. Instead, her priority is ensuring our survival and propagation of our genetic material, which leads her to instill behaviors within us that aren’t necessarily ideal or advantageous,” explained Brooks. “For instance, striving to appear superior to others and concentrating solely on oneself. When one resists this tendency, they discover that the key to living life to the fullest and achieving greater contentment often involves acting contrary to those instincts.”

Brooks mentioned that he has conducted extensive research on loneliness. Typically, when an individual experiences loneliness, the quick fix involves seeking out another person experiencing similar feelings to alleviate mutual seclusion.

“It’s incredible,” he remarked. “This principle applies universally. The more you share something, the more you receive. While nature may not explicitly convey this lesson, it embodies an eternal verity.”

Brooks points out that emotions are linked to happiness, but happiness is not actually an emotion.

He mentioned, 'Happiness is quite palpable, which is really good to hear.' He continued, 'You have the ability to take action. True happiness comes from enjoying your life, feeling content with what you’ve achieved, and having a clear purpose for your being.'

Brooks stated that enjoyment, fulfillment, and purpose enhance an individual's overall wellbeing. He elaborated that having a sense of meaning acts as a crucial component of happiness, similar to how macronutrients are essential for nutrition.

The essence of events unfolding as they do lies in their purpose and the overall aim and orientation in your life, defining why your existence holds significance.

Brooks recommends contemplating meaning by posing these two inquiries to oneself.

Firstly, how do you respond when asked ‘what is the purpose of your existence?’ Passing this test requires having a response ready. Failing means saying ‘I don’t know.’ Secondly, consider whether there’s anything for which you’d willingly sacrifice your life today? If your reply is nothing, then that indicates an issue. Having a profound sense of purpose comes from being able to sincerely affirm answers to these two inquiries with deep conviction.

If people don't know, Brooks said that's good news because it tells you to go and search for the answers, "and a miracle will happen in life," he said.