Happiness or Success

​Happiness Leads the Way

As Fall settles in and the days grow a little shorter, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on what truly drives us. We often chase success, believing that once we achieve a certain goal, land that job, or reach that milestone, happiness will follow. But what if it’s actually the other way around?

When we focus first on cultivating happiness, gratitude, contentment and peace, success tends to flow naturally. A happy person brings energy, creativity, and resilience into everything they do. Whether it’s tackling a project, navigating life’s challenges, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the water, a joyful mindset opens doors that effort alone can’t unlock.

The image above, captured along a calm stretch of river in Idaho, shows how happiness works: it flows around obstacles, softening rough edges and creating its own path forward. You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before choosing happiness. Start where you are, with what you have and let joy guide you toward what’s next.

Take a moment today to smile, breathe deeply, and notice something good around you. That simple act may just be the spark that fuels your next success.