Flourishing Life

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition.” – Martha Washington

Tal Ben-Shahar got kicked out of a Ph.D. program at Cambridge University in England. That’s quite an accomplishment, as only a few people have ever been expelled from a Cambridge Ph.D. and he was the only one to be expelled that year.

What does it take to get booted? Apparently have a bad attitude. He says of himself that he was arrogant and prideful and had he not been dismissed he probably would have gone on to be a failure. Looking back on the situation, he realizes it was one of the best things that could possibly have happened to him. He was humbled by the experience and now realizes the growth that ensued enabled him to accomplish great things. He eventually earned a Ph.D. from Harvard, published several best-selling books, and has traveled the world as a consultant and lecturer.

Happiness isn’t about the circumstances we experience, but what we do with our circumstances. We don’t have to enjoy them to grow because of them. Either we can grow bitter or we can grow better. Ben-Shahar grew better. What are you going to do?