Let's start with a profound question: Are you happy? If you're one of those people who think they'll be happy when they: own their dream car, graduate, lose weight, go on a trip, or reach the top of a volcano… this article is for you. Happiness lies in the journey. If you want to reach the "summit," that goal which may be very valid and, yes, bring you great happiness, learn to enjoy the climb.

And it's not about complacency. It's about enjoying the journey, seeing the scenery with every step, appreciating the freedom to move toward the goal you desire. Happiness also lies in those who accompany you. The people who join you on this climb aren't just your family or friends; they can also be great teachers. There are people who come to teach us life lessons, showing us what we should or even what we shouldn't do. And even in that, what matters is the ability to learn and find joy in new teachings. Because every step leads you to become a new and improved version of yourself.

We'd all love to win the lottery. Few are lucky enough to do so, and even among them, there are countless stories of people who have lost everything in a short time. Why? Because they didn't take the path of learning, they didn't learn valuable life lessons that would have allowed them to appreciate that gift. And the joy of having something and enjoying every moment to the fullest.

I took a course at Yale University a while back. It became their most popular and in-demand course, filling up its student quota the fastest: “The Science of Wellbeing.” The course explores scientific findings on what produces happiness, based on neuroscience and psychology. What's surprising is that not only do we all seek to “be happy” (just look at the student body—a quarter of the students in the course are university students), but we also want to learn the tools that will help us on that path.

There, they give us truths we probably already know deep down, but which have been tested and experienced: happiness isn't in the destination, but in enjoying the journey. Did you buy an ice cream? Be intentional about savoring it, engaging all five senses. But if you rush through it because you're running late, you lose that moment of happiness.

There's a generation that believes the goal in life is to be happy and justifies all their actions under the umbrella of their own happiness. We often hear: if it makes you happy, do it. Yes, acts of kindness bring a sense of satisfaction that's hard to describe. They bring happiness. But if what gives us pleasure involves the suffering of someone else, it won't bring lasting happiness. Here are some tips to help you in your exploration of happiness:

1.     Make a list of the "little things" that make you happy. It could be a cup of coffee in the morning, a hug from your kids when they get home from school, a walk in nature, or some exercise. Be intentional about becoming aware of what makes you happy every day, not just long-term goals.

2.     Be intentional about finding ways to add value to others through small acts of kindness every day. You'll discover that much of our happiness comes from doing good for others. The satisfaction of giving, which doesn't necessarily involve money, is greater than other placebos. You can give your time, listen to a friend, spend time with a family member, or bring a coworker a cup of coffee. There are many ways to "give" every day.

3.     Don't take anything for granted. Learn to be grateful for every daily "small, yet significant miracle." Gratitude is the greatest factor in happiness. Yes, it's scientifically proven. It activates gratitude in our brain, in areas related to well-being, stress reduction, and the promotion of positive emotions.

4.     Exercise daily. If you're not very active, simply walking for a few minutes each day is enough. During that walk, you'll appreciate the scenery.

5.     According to Viktor Frankl, the father of Logotherapy, the secret to happiness is finding a purpose. Find yours:

·       The will to meaning: the main motivating force of human beings.

·       Freedom of will: the ability to choose our attitude towards circumstances.

·       The meaning of life: which can be found even in suffering.

Happiness goes beyond ourselves. The kind that lasts, that isn't fleeting, that transcends moments and situations, doesn't come from "having," but from "appreciating and being grateful."

Yazmín Di Maio

Communication and People Development.

Coach, Speaker and Trainer Maxwell Leadership.