Without any discussing, the key to happiness, in my opinion, is a harmonious relationship with the people in our lives.

　　It is the people in our lives who bring us the most happiness. Family, friends and co-workers, who are part of our inner circle, share our experiences, hopes and dreams, successes and frustrations, joys and pains. Too often, many of us get on the fast track of life and take each other for granted. As a new millennium approach, more people disregard their passion and interests and choose careers based on job security, pay and professional promotion. As a result, they find themselves isolated and without friends. Loneliness is a common tragedy that destroys lives.

　　Actually we were old enough to remember the old saying "Money doesn’t buy happiness", yet we strive for the material objects and pay a high price. The essence of happiness is the unconditionally love we have for the people in our lives and their unconditionally love for us. To live life only for ourselves will bring us nothing but sadness and misery.

　　A self-centered life is an unhappy life. Selfishness is a major block to happiness. Our feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem cause us to be takers rather than givers. Our selfishness is often a mask for fear. If we don’t think too much about ourselves, we have a lot of work to do in order to enhance our self-worth. We must live for something greater than ourselves. To be happy, we must get out of ourselves. An unhappy person must turn outward, not inward, to find happiness.

　　I truly believe that the happiest people are those who love many things. They love children, family and friends. They love sunrises and sunsets. They love life. They have even learned to love pain and despair rather than viewing them the opposite of happiness.