The secret to happiness?

[BarrageMarroon]

My paternal grandparents were the happiest,
kindest and most cheerful people I ever met. Yet they had so much hardship - both illegitimate, born into poverty, orphaned in their teens, difficult upbringings in the 1920s.

They lived a really simple life. My granddad had the same job for 50 years, they lived in the same house for the same period. The only social event they had was an evening at the local pub every Saturday night, with the same
people. Never went on holiday further than Scarborough. Few significant material possessions, never owned a car, only got a phone in the early 90s.

But they seemed to have happiness pinned down? Why does it seem more elusive now?

We've lost the ability to be content with what we have.

Absolutely this. Rife consumerism and the constant pursuit of bigger and better. Just makes us miserable and dissatisfied and completely missing the point.

Exactly the same as the PP. Appreciate what and who you have and cherish them
Less is often more
its people who matter not stuff
We, as a society have lost sight of this, always want newer, better, faster, smarter etc etc
i live a frugal simple life on disability benefits but enjoy each day and am content, which is the most important key to happiness in my opinion
Great Post!

Gratitude. Practising it daily. Like brushing your teeth or washing your face. Thinking of (and writing down if you have the time) things that you are grateful for every day.

Truly living in the present. Not dwelling on the past or fretting about the future. Just being in, and enjoying, the moment.

Treating everybody with respect and kindness, and not seeing yourself as either better than or less worthy than others.