Happy

Here is a fundamental axiom: other people don't make us happy; only we can do that. However a happy person with the right company can be rendered considerably happier. Conversely, the wrong company can make us miserable.

I think it's fundamental to be able to be happy living alone if need be. For if we can do that it makes us self contained beings who can more readily welcome those who are truly compatible with us. In youth we may make choices out of fear of being alone or of being seen as less socially acceptable, but as age hopefully brings wisdom we realize that we should only listen to that internal voice which knows what is best.

Nevertheless the human default is to be ever restless and pine for what we don't have; all the more so in the age where everyone's minutest victories are constantly on display on social media.