A series of encounters with human behavioural specialist Dr Demartini changed my interpretation of happiness and provided me with an unexpected secret to lasting fulfilment.
By Denisa Irene Oosthuizen
“I prefer the term ‘fulfilment’ and not ‘happiness,’” replied human development specialist Dr Demartini in an interview I conducted for an online publication I had timidly started a few years ago. My question was: How do you define happiness?
How happy are you? How do you define the word happy? When you feel unhappy, how do you attempt to change that? We all have different interpretations of the word “happy.” We all employ different strategies to try to achieve happiness. But there are some proven strategies for becoming happier, more content person. In this uncertain world, sometimes focusing on small joys can make a big impact on your level of happiness.
Feeling positive about ourselves means we care much less about what others think about us. A sense of self-worth is about having a decent and valued relationship with yourself. It is an understanding that everyday isn’t perfect, that not everyone will like you, but that what you have (your achievements, your friends, your interests, etc) are solid.
Right now we have luxuries in abundance, but I’ve discovered that excess really reduces my life’s enjoyment. 
