SAYINGS AND WISDOM THAT WILL UPLIFT AND INSPIRE

"Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness." - Chuang-tzu (BC)
Establish good principles and conduct yourself according to these principles. Love, or at least be tolerant of, your fellow humans. Don't strive too hard for that which, in the end, will not make you happier.

Happiness is inside us, in our minds, in our thoughts. It is not external material things or experiences, but the enjoyment of our thoughts and feelings. This is good because our thoughts, and therefore our happiness, are up to us.

Self-esteem

First of all, be yourself! It is much better to be you than an imitation of someone else. We should accept that we are just human beings and forget trying to be perfect in the eyes of others. If there were no room for us who are not superstars, it would be a very empty world.
Speaking out can be one of the most difficult things to do when bogged down with self-doubt. Some things to consider trying - Stop criticizing yourself. Don't be too careful about what you are going to say - just say it - the heck with it! Don't be too critical of others, and let anyone and everyone know that you feel friendly toward them.

Love

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love." - Sophocles (BC) "If you wish to be loved, love." - Lucius Seneca (3-65)
Love to feel good.
Two persons who have chosen each other out of all the species with a design to be each other's mutual comfort and entertainment have, in that action, bound themselves to be good-humored, affable, discreet, forgiving, patient, and joyful, with respect to each other's frailties and perfections, to the end of their lives." - Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

Acceptance

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will." - Epictetus (55-135)
Sometimes when an enormous problem does not have a solution, determining exactly what the worse possible outcome can be, and accepting that it has happened or will happen, will result in a great release from anxiety.

Values

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. The demon of worldly desires is always seeking chances to deceive the mind. If a viper lives in your room and you wish to have a peaceful sleep, you must first chase it out." - Buddha (BC)
More and more we are coming to falsely regard material gains as success and missing out on the true values of life. "Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy though he be master of the world." - Epicurus (BC)
Money really is quite necessary in our life, but its value should not be worshiped. Being careful not to waste it will give us less to worry about, so "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

Purpose

Most of us use only a small percentage of our capabilities and can do so much more. Learning new things gives us purpose in life and a feeling of achievement. Read nonfiction books to increase your knowledge of things in life and to learn new skills or to improve existing ones. Do something different from what you do all day at work. In undertaking a new after hours project, start with something small and complete it, so as not to get discouraged and to get a feeling of achievement when it is done.

Appreciation

"We seldom think of what we have, but always of what we lack." - Arthur Schopenauer (1788-1860)
A better life has been achieved when we are no longer trying to achieve a better life. It means that we are content, as we should be, with ourselves and what we have. To always be wanting more is self-defeating for we are then in a constant state of frustration, always hoping and waiting for happiness to come. So what is important? Enough, not more.
Think of what you have rather than of what you lack. Of the things you have, select the best and then reflect how eagerly you would have sought them if you did not have them." - Marcus Aurelius (121-180)
There is, here and now, much to appreciate. There is life itself and everything that is naturally before us. We just have to look around and take it in. When you go for a walk don't you see, hear, and smell, many things to appreciate and feel nice about? Flowers and trees, a caterpillar crossing the sidewalk, a cute pup, a child enthusiastically enjoying that moment in life, birds, clouds, a neighbor waving.