Can you be happy(er)? A guide to a heightened sense of happiness

It is just another day. You wake up and follow the usual daily rituals, in the same environment, with the same patterns and order of actions. You have been doing this for a few years now, and every activity blends as you progress through your day feeling a sense of psychological detachment from reality, waiting for the next routine action to arise while forgetting that you are doing something else at this very moment. The brain wanders off the same thought patterns it has sharply crafted over many years, and you feel completely identified with those customary, cozy thoughts and feelings. You have come to believe this is your life, all the while also reflecting on how you may cultivate a deeper sense of well-being and satisfaction.

One day, while watching the television, you hear someone speak about what you lightly thought about lately - Arthur Brooks references research on happiness and Eastern philosophies while exploring avenues for achieving a greater sense of life satisfaction for humans. You discern curiosity in the topic, which feels very close to you at this moment. Your research and deep dive into happiness and life satisfaction starts, and you commit to it with conviction — you pride yourself in being a good reader and researcher of information when you put your mind to it.