FOLLOWING THE CLUES
One of the old sayings is that: "Success leaves clues."
Of course, this suggests that one should do what successful people do. (Duh!)
Well....
WHAT ABOUT THOSE PHILOSOPHER GUYS...
They studied and thought extensively about this, so they might just have something to say that is helpful.
EXAMPLES OF HAPPY PEOPLE'S PHILOSOPHIES
In an email, from one of the most wonderful elders I know:
As youngsters so few of us were taught that how we look at life is our choice, that we truly have the power, ability to get to know our complete selves, (highest and lowest) to accept, love it all, and to choose which we want to experience, even should it all be illusion. I'm truly thankful that I learned it somewhere along the way in adulthood, (and sometimes forget to practice it)
My little sister (only 13 months younger than I) always saw our mother as a very grim, punishing person, while I saw her as extremely loving, though she did punish us. She didn't know any other way. My sister committed suicide while she was only in her 30s, leaving four boys, and her soils engineer husband. It was a really sad time for our family.
So, whatever all the truth, untruth, illusion, etc. etc. of life is, I LOVE IT, GIVE THANKS FOR IT EVERYDAY, and expect to be happy. I do want to be that model of health (wholeness). love, and joy. And what a pleasure to help others experience it too.
I have set up a separate section (on a site that interlocks with this one) of examples of possible philosophies that are more complete and written more in the style that I propose on the main introduction page for the philosophy of life section: Examples Of Life Philosophies.