【英文原文】

We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life.

But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.

So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research ― surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are.

Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:

1. Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.

2. Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.

3. Flow. This is a popular concept on the Internet these days ― the state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously ― this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV ― this is the opposite of flow ― and get outside and do something that truly engages you.

You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them!

【中文譯文】

我們都知道金錢買不來幸福，但我們都表現出如果我們的錢再多點就會更幸福的樣子。我們習慣于向要變的更有錢(當我們知道富人也并不快樂);在電視看到些最新的玩意兒或是最潮的風格，我們也想要賺更多的錢因為那樣我們將會擁有更好的生活。

但那些都不會帶給我們幸福。不管我們掙多少錢，不管我們在銀行擁有多少存款，不管我們的 衣服汽車玩具有多好，它們都不會讓我們更快樂。令人難過的是在我們明白這一點之前，它會讓我們一直追求財富和奢侈品。

那么，究竟什么能帶給我們幸福呢?幸運的是，有三樣東西，它們不需要花費其他任何。這三樣是被研究證明的――這項研究調查了數以十萬的人們，包括他們擁有什么，他們的生活怎么樣以及他們有多快樂。

那么，下面就是幸福的三個秘密：

1、良好的關系。我們同他人的親近、親密是人類的需求。擁有良好的、支持性的友誼、牢固的婚姻或是同家庭成員緊密有愛的關系會使我們更可能快樂。

動作步驟：今天就花時間同你愛的人在一起，告訴他們他們之于你的意義，傾聽他們所說的，進一步發展同他們的關系。

2、積極的思考。積極思考是達成你目標的最佳方式，我很顯然是這一想法的強烈支持者，但同時它也能指引你走向幸福。樂觀和自尊是快樂生活的人們的最佳寫照。快樂的人們感到充滿活力，能夠控制他們的生活，同時積極看待生活。

動作步驟：把積極思考培養成習慣。事實上，這應該是你首先培養的習慣之一。養成粉碎你的負面想法并用積極的想法替代它們的習慣。用“我能”的想法替代“我不能”。盡管聽起來毫無新意，但對我來說每次都很奏效。

3、流動。這是最近網絡上一個流行的概念――當我們全神貫注于眼前的工作和任務時我們進入的狀態。我們太過沉浸于我們的任務以至于沒了時間觀念。擁有工作和休閑會讓你出于流動的狀態，這幾乎毫無疑問會讓你幸福。當人們被動地沒有意識時不會找尋到巨大地愉悅感，這種感覺只有當他們專注于挑戰時才能獲得。

動作步驟：找一份你熱愛地工作。這是至關重要地一步。在找一個你有興趣地愛好。關掉電視機(這是流動的反面)，走到戶外，進行些你能夠真正參與進去的活動。