We cannot fix every problem in the world,
but we can choose how we treat the people around us.
                        —Author unknown

The older I get, the less I know… and the more I know.               
Go figure.                                                                                      
All I know for sure is,                                                                    
it’s true.                                                  
                         —Burt Gershater

And I truly do want us all to be happy.

Being right isn’t as important as it used to be for me for most of my life. The power of “I am right and you are wrong” has faded into the sunset. Truth is rediscovering itself in the morning sunrise. It stays up in the sky all day long, on the cloudiest days, even after sundown into the dark starry night. We can debate, we can discuss, we add nuances and we have to remind ourselves to never stop practicing truth in order to keep it alive.

Like, are there times when not telling the truth is more right than telling the truth?                                                                           
Or, do I sometimes not need to try my very hardest?                      
Truth?!

Happiness is similar.                                                                        
I just finished a book by Dennis Prager, the wise author of eight intriguing books, a celebrated talk-show host and columnist. In this book, “Happiness Is a Serious Problem,” he won’t even define happiness. He said it’s easier to identify unhappiness than it is happiness, and I agree. But still, I want you, me and everyone to be truly happy, 

Then what does this mean and how can all of us head in this happier direction?
Let’s go forward, slowly.                                                                               
My latest wisdom is:

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast…

Ponder that one for a minute or much more, and remember, slow is smooth and smooth is fast…   

We actually cover more territory going slower. We don’t whiz by and miss it. We see it. Hear it. Smell it. Feel it. Taste it. We truly experience when we slow down. And there are surely many legitimate exceptions to this profound wisdom.

Slow is a key ingredient to being happy. Even if you win the Olympic 100-meter dash and set a world record, true happiness happens when you slow down afterward to soak in the uncountable levels of appreciation you have for achieving your accomplishment. And even if you tried your best to win the race of your lifetime, and came in last, you can still find happiness. It might take a bit longer (maybe not), but remember….            

Happiness is a way of being, it is not an event. Happiness is not simply pleasure. Happiness transcends pleasure. Happiness does not include much blame, indifference, or time spent listening to our never-ending, fear-based thoughts. Too much of any of these interfere with our precious happiness.

Hate, which is rooted in fear, is painfully addictive and blocks our pathway to happiness. Here is a powerful wisdom I recently read on this toxic human pattern. It can help guide us away from hate and make more room for joy, love and happiness:

Let’s stop pretending we have haters.                                         
We have humans who hate themselves and their lives and then project that onto others.                          
The hate is their own, let it stay right there with them.

                                      —Purma Sharma                      

Why do I deeply hope, pray and work vigilantly for happiness for everyone? And why do I believe you should, too, each in your own way?

As much as we can, knowing that we all have our own genetic and historical pathways, try to understand, accept, stretch and release our limitations, and expand our true essence. Happiness is not a switch, a pill, a glorious moment. Happiness is a discipline, a practice, daily appreciation. It includes resilience in the face of life’s challenges that never stop presenting themselves…right up till the end. Please, be a devoted member on the Happiness Train. Continue to learn, unlearn, live it, teach it by living it, laugh a lot, and cry some, too.                                                                                               

Be generous.                                                                               
Be kind.                                                                                     
Wish, in your heart and soul, that everyone joins our train.

Bless you.                                                                               
Thank you.                                                                                   
We need all of us!                                                                               

Burt Gershater is a counselor, leadership trainer, speaker and writer. He can be reached at burt@burtgershater.com 

This article appears in the Source August 6, 2026.

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I Want You…To Be Happy

by Burt Gershater, The Source - Bend, Oregon
July 31, 2026

<h1>I Want You…To Be Happy</h1> <p class="byline">by Burt Gershater, The Source - Bend, Oregon <br />July 31, 2026</p> <pre class="wp-block-preformatted has-light-gray-background-color has-background"><em>We cannot fix every problem in the world,<br>but we can choose how we treat the people around us.</em><br> <em> —Author unknown</em><br><br><em>The older I get, the less I know… and the more I know. <br>Go figure. <br>All I know for sure is, <br>it’s true. </em> <br> <em> —Burt Gershater</em><br></pre> <p>And I truly do want us all to be happy.</p> <p>Being right isn’t as important as it used to be for me for most of my life. The power of "I am right and you are wrong" has faded into the sunset. Truth is rediscovering itself in the morning sunrise. It stays up in the sky all day long, on the cloudiest days, even after sundown into the dark starry night. We can debate, we can discuss, we add nuances and we have to remind ourselves to never stop practicing truth in order to keep it alive.</p> <p>Like, are there times when not telling the truth is more right than telling the truth? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Or, do I sometimes not need to try my very hardest?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Truth?!</p> <p>Happiness is similar.                                                                        <br />I just finished a book by Dennis Prager, the wise author of eight intriguing books, a celebrated talk-show host and columnist. In this book, "Happiness Is a Serious Problem," he won’t even define happiness. He said it’s easier to identify unhappiness than it is happiness, and I agree. But still, I want you, me and everyone to be truly happy, </p> <p>Then what does this mean and how can all of us head in this happier direction?<br />Let’s go forward, slowly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />My latest wisdom is:</p> <p><em>Slow is smooth and smooth is fast…</em></p> <p>Ponder that one for a minute or much more, and remember, <em>slow is smooth and smooth is fast…&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> <p>We actually cover more territory going slower. We don’t whiz by and miss it. We see it. Hear it. Smell it. Feel it. Taste it. We truly experience when we slow down. And there are surely many legitimate exceptions to this profound wisdom.</p> <p>Slow is a key ingredient to being happy. Even if you win the Olympic 100-meter dash and set a world record, true happiness happens when you slow down afterward to soak in the uncountable levels of appreciation you have for achieving your accomplishment. And even if you tried your best to win the race of your lifetime, and came in last, you can still find happiness. It might take a bit longer (maybe not), but remember….            </p> <p>Happiness is a way of being, it is not an event. Happiness is not simply pleasure. Happiness transcends pleasure. Happiness does not include much blame, indifference, or time spent listening to our never-ending, fear-based thoughts. Too much of any of these interfere with our precious happiness.</p> <p>Hate, which is rooted in fear, is painfully addictive and blocks our pathway to happiness. Here is a powerful wisdom I recently read on this toxic human pattern. It can help guide us away from hate and make more room for joy, love and happiness:</p> <p><em>Let’s stop pretending we have haters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em><br /><em>We have humans who hate themselves and their lives and then project that onto others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em><br /><em>The hate is their own, let it stay right there with them.</em></p> <p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; —Purma Sharma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> <p>Why do I deeply hope, pray and work vigilantly for happiness for everyone? And why do I believe you should, too, each in your own way?</p> <p>As much as we can, knowing that we all have our own genetic and historical pathways, try to understand, accept, stretch and release our limitations, and expand our true essence. Happiness is not a switch, a pill, a glorious moment. Happiness is a discipline, a practice, daily appreciation. It includes resilience in the face of life’s challenges that never stop presenting themselves…right up till the end. Please, be a devoted member on the Happiness Train. Continue to learn, unlearn, live it, teach it by living it, laugh a lot, and cry some, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Be generous.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Be kind. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Wish, in your heart and soul, that everyone joins our train.</p> <p>Bless you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Thank you. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />We need all of us!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Burt Gershater is a counselor, leadership trainer, speaker and writer. He can be reached at burt@burtgershater.com&nbsp;</em></p></p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://www.bendsource.com/culture/columns/i-want-you-to-be-happy/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://www.bendsource.com&quot;&gt;The Source - Bend, Oregon&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/cropped-Untitled-design-4.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://www.bendsource.com/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=95200&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://www.bendsource.com/culture/columns/i-want-you-to-be-happy/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/bendsource.com/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

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