For thousands of years, people have searched to find happiness and meaning in their lives. Over the centuries, we have made tremendous advances and gained many things. In today’s world, we are encouraged to rely on ourselves, to do what we want to do, to be who we want to be. Society defines success by our possessions, our popularity, and our power. The pressure to have it all, to outdo each other, and to grow in status often hinders the enjoyment derived from our accomplishments and acquisitions. If we are not careful, our temporal progress can be eclipsed by spiritual loss. Wisdom established long ago teaches us that our ultimate happiness and joy come from above. We are greatly limiting our potential if we believe we can lead our happiest, most joyful lives without the benefit of God. Certainly, we can enjoy pleasure, success, and well-being on our own. But after each triumph, we will wonder what comes next. When the greatest good we seek is not the Greatest Good, we will always want something more, we will never feel completely fulfilled, and our bliss will eventually fade.
We are all created with a universal longing for happiness. For optimal welfare, modern psychologists recommend balancing our hedonic happiness or pleasure with our eudaimonic happiness or fulfillment. While feeling happy results from a temporary positive emotion, actually being happy persists throughout difficulties and negative situations. Doctors of the Church contend that the enduring happiness we seek does not come from creations, but only from our Creator. Although the perfect happiness of the beatific vision is reserved for the afterlife, we can enjoy an imperfect happiness now by living in a way that prepares us for that final perfect union with God in heaven. Living only for ourselves can provide momentary satisfaction, but living for God produces eternal rewards.
The words “happiness” and “joy” are often used interchangeably. From a Christian perspective, joy is that deep, abiding state of the soul which comes from communion with God. It provides the serene and steadfast assurance that every instance is a celebration of the beauty of life and the unfailing love of the Lord. Joy lifts the veil of circumstance to uncover the immutable promise of God’s presence, identifying the sacred influence in our daily lives. It comforts us along our darkest paths and turns our challenges into hallowed journeys. Joy is presented to us as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) rooted in charity. It is our radiant response to the divine love that warms our hearts, transcends every moment, and enrichens everything. Supernatural joy is not merely a transient emotion but rather a profound state of being that aligns us with our highest purpose and equips us to experience the richness of life by living fully, loving deeply, and engaging meaningfully with the world around us.
The number eight is associated with joy, salvation, and fresh starts. The Bible contains many favored references to the number eight. The Eighth Day points toward eternal life, represents a spiritual realm that goes beyond the constraints of time and space, and marks the beginning of new creation and redemption. Eight is linked to the Second Coming. The gematria of Jesus' name in Greek is a trinity of eights. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents eight beatitudes to his disciples. The resurrection of Christ takes place on the eighth day after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. For these reasons, it is fitting that the Secret for Happiness is comprised of eight faith-based tenets. The first four "secrets" disclose the amazing gifts that God freely gives to us, while the final four "secrets" emphasize the importance of living a Christ-centered life.
Everything we have and everything we are comes to us generously and lovingly from God. Through the gift of His grace, we are able to live in friendship with Him. He creates us to seek happiness and receive joy, He elevates our ability to attain true happiness, He partners with us to find lasting happiness, and He is guiding us right now. Simply put, if we want to be our best selves, we need to become the people God creates us to be.
Although the Secret for Happiness ultimately comes from God, we must cooperate with His grace to receive the transformative results only He can bestow upon us. The best way we can help ourselves is by placing God first, following His commandments, and trusting in His providence. Saint Augustine cautions that “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” Let go of the superficial things that prevent you from flourishing and embrace the supernatural goods that nourish your eternal soul and enable this important growth.
The Secret for Happiness is a self-improvement program rooted in Christianity. It is designed to provide you with the framework and tools necessary to anchor intentional and sustainable positive life change by orienting your life toward God. This program integrates ancient truths revealed through scripture and saints with modern behavioral techniques to create a teaching methodology that is truly unique, highly effective, and applicable today. Unlike most self-help programs that emphasize growth through individual force and self-reliance, the Secret for Happiness is realized when our lives are illuminated by the light of Christ. In this way, our quest for advancement enhances our God-given gifts so that we are able to enjoy them, share them, and return them with increase to the Lord.
After more than a decade serving as both a family caregiver and a volunteer for the elderly and infirm, Jacqueline witnessed how precious, fragile, and fleeting our existence is on this earth. One of the saddest things she routinely encountered was the end of a life filled with unresolved regrets, unrealized potential, and unfulfilled dreams. But it doesn't have to be that way. We are made for something better, and we have the ability to correct our course and achieve the meaningful and happy lives we desire. Recognizing that life can dramatically change in an instant without warning, Jacqueline immersed herself in prayer, study, and good works. The Secret for Happiness program formed out of the bounty produced by thousands of hours of service within the Catholic Church combined with hundreds of hours spent in the loving presence of our Lord. Now, she is ready to share her secret with you. As a Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Christian Life Coach, and Certified Spiritual Life Coach, she inspires you to elevate your talents and fulfill your life’s purpose. She has a proven track record of over thirty years coaching her clients to maximize their wellness. Jacqueline earned her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and her Master of Science in Church Management from Villanova School of Business.
This website outlines the eight secrets that facilitate living a happy life. If you struggle with any of the secrets or would like to master the techniques that enable you to assimilate these lessons into your lifestyle, prayerfully consider scheduling one of our life coaching options listed below. Don't miss out on the abundance that awaits you. Let the Secret for Happiness show you the way.
O Heavenly Father, we thank You for all of the blessings You give to us. Please send Your Holy Spirit to enlighten us to Your ways, open our hearts to Your charity, and fill us with Your joy. Make us instruments of Your grace so that we may fulfill the mission to reflect Your light and love upon those who live in darkness, thus spreading Your happiness throughout the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
