One reason that challenge brings happiness is that it allows you to expand your self - definition. You become larger. Suddenly you can do yoga or make homemade beer or speak a decent amount of Spanish. Research shows that the more elements make up your identity, the less threatening it is when any one element is threatened.

Act the way that you want to feel.

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

In general, religious people seem to be happier than non-religious people - under various definitions of "religiosity," such as church attendance or professed spiritual beliefs.

Now is now. Here is my treasure.

Act the way you WANT to feel.

Happiness comes not from having more, not from having less, but from wanting what you have.