Why so many people seem unhappy

Go to a mall, grocery store, or even your local gym and you're bound to see people with a sullen look on their face. It doesn't matter that they're carrying around a Louis Vuitton purse or driving a Mercedes Benz -- their sulkiness communicates that they're not happy.

While we can never know for sure unless we ask, I would venture a guess that a great deal of them know they're not living the kind of life they want to live; instead, they're living the life others want them to live. Some people strive to impress others, essentially living their lives on others' terms.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals don't realize until later in life that we must each find our own path to happiness. What makes your friend or neighbor happy won't necessarily fulfill you, whether in terms of hobbies, romantic relationships, or careers.

Just because you're not on the same road as someone else doesn't mean you're lost. Finding your own path is the only way to realize your full potential and make your dreams come true.

Traveling someone else's journey will never feel genuine to us. We must decide for ourselves what makes us feel alive -- what we are passionate about -- and follow our instincts without taking any detours imposed by others.

Doing things your way doesn't make you mean, selfish, or indifferent to others' suggestions. It just means that you've chosen to go where your heart takes you. You've opted to remain true to yourself.

Not everyone gets a thrill out of buying expensive stuff. Society makes materialism out to be a surefire way to achieve contentment. Those people at the mall or grocery store may in fact be trying to keep up with the Joneses, not conscious of the fact that it leaves them feeling empty at the end of the day.

When you seek others' validation, you're basically saying you can't be happy until and until you get their stamp of approval.

Remember, you come into this world alone, and that's how you will leave it. The only person who will always be there with you is yourself. The person whose approval you seek today might be out of your life tomorrow, so what's the point?

It's your life, and you deserve to forge your own path to happiness. Don't allow others to dictate your choices for you. Impress yourself by setting out to achieve new goals. Never stop reaching for the stars.

Living life as you want to live it is a huge accomplishment in itself in a world where so many people seek to blend in with each other rather than stand apart.

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