If success doesn't bring happiness, what does?

When the world slows down and there isn’t much work to feel successful about and I can’t go do the things in nature that feed my soul (when I’m successful), what makes me happy? Does feeling successful equate to happiness? I’m not sure. As an Achiever with high Competition, I have a whisper of discontent that is pervasive. I'm consistently in a state of wanting more, seeking, learning, striving and competing. It’s pretty exhausting, actually. I had a conversation with a friend today about seeking purpose and seeking a lifestyle that serves and fulfills on our own terms. I saw clearly that my parents wanted more than their parents had. They wanted a bigger house, a nicer car, a better job, more money. US culture is built around that idea and as a middle aged (when that happened I’m not sure) woman, I was trained well in that ideal. I don’t know that I want a bigger house, a nicer car, a bigger business, more impact, more success, more accolades, more opportunities, more deals, more clients, more, better, faster, stronger. Maybe faster and stronger, but that’s another story for another day. What if what I have right now is exactly enough for right now? What if I don’t need anything else to make me happy or happier? What if the house, my sweet office, my great husband, my dog, my yard, the sunshine, the mountains, my friends and my wonderful family are enough to make me happy? The research from Shawn Achor and other Positive Psychology researchers suggests that success doesn’t bring happiness. Happiness actually creates success. We create happiness by being grateful and sharing that gratitude with others. So for today, I am grateful and want nothing else. I’m working and creating and building, but not striving. I’m right here, in my house, in my office, with my dog and my husband and I’m happy. (And I can’t wait to dance alongside my friends again!)