Things Remembered - January 18, 2026

Pursuing Happiness? Start Here.

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We all want to be happy, but if you were asked to define what happiness actually is, where would you begin? Sure, it’s something we aim for, but its nature is hard to put into words. Is happiness just a passing feeling, or is it something deeper and more sustainable?

It gets even more complicated when we think about how to achieve happiness. We often tell ourselves we’ll be happy once we reach a certain salary or title. Yet over the years, I’ve met many people who have everything and still seem very unhappy.

These ambiguities sparked my curiosity. I started reading, asking questions, and eventually found myself chatting with Harvard professor and behavioral scientist Arthur Brooks, a prolific author who studies the science of happiness. He says most of us are thinking about it the wrong way.

His conclusion: Happiness isn’t a fleeting feeling. Feelings come and go, but happiness is more durable, shaped by the habits we form and the choices we make. It’s a direction we live in, not a place we reach. Importantly, it’s a skill that can grow stronger with practice.

A deeper understanding

Why do so many of us struggle to achieve happiness? Arthur says it’s because Mother Nature steers us in the wrong direction. Her only concern is that we live long enough to pass on our genes. She doesn’t care if we’re happy along the way.

As a result, our instincts often push us toward short-term rewards that promise status and security. Those things can feel good in the moment, but that feeling doesn’t persist or lead to long-lasting happiness.

This helps explain why so many people end up chasing things like money that don’t deliver what they expect. As Arthur puts it, happiness doesn’t come from pleasure alone. It emerges from repeated patterns of behavior that support a stable and meaningful life.

Arthur explains that money supports happiness not on its own, but when it’s intentionally used to strengthen relationships, whether through shared experiences, generosity, time spent together, or saving toward a future that includes others.

In other words, when money is used to create moments of connection — to say “I’m thinking of you” or “you matter to me” — it deepens relationships and boosts happiness.

I’ve seen this play out in countless ways over 50 years. Gifts like flowers invite people to let someone else know they’re being thought of. They create a moment of connection that lasts well beyond the exchange itself.

A message worth repeating

Arthur is a living example of happiness as something you practice. He’s devoted his career to understanding what lifts people up. His books, travel, teaching, and talks all help people build stronger bonds with the people who matter most.

Everything he describes leads to the choices we make in our relationships. We can choose to serve ourselves or other people. If you want to be happy, choose the latter.

I’ve found myself returning to his ideas repeatedly, testing them against my own decisions and sharing them with family, friends, and colleagues. Now that I’ve shared them with you, please let me know what you think.

All the best,

In this episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with business leader Nigel Travis, whose career spans some of America’s most iconic brands, including Dunkin’, Burger King, Jersey Mike’s, and many others. From his British roots to leading quintessentially American companies, Nigel reflects on how perspective, people, and disciplined execution shape enduring leadership.

Nigel shares what it takes to turn even struggling brands into growth engines, including the lessons he learned rebuilding Dunkin’ during the financial crisis. Together, we explore why great leadership is less about control and more about listening.

The conversation also looks inside the boardroom and offers candid views on AI, data security, and the future of work — along with advice for leaders navigating uncertainty and rapid change.

This episode is a masterclass in leadership that’s filled with stories and practical wisdom from one of the most respected operators in modern business. Please share your thoughts here.

How do you shake the winter blues?

By this point in winter, many of us feel it. The days are short, routines can feel repetitive, and spring still feels just out of reach. Even the things we love most can feel harder to summon on gray mornings.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the best antidote to the winter blues is often something small and intentional, like a walk despite the cold weather, a call made instead of postponed, or a favorite meal cooked on an ordinary night.

What helps you push back against the depressing aspects of the season? Is it a ritual, a mindset, or a moment of connection you return to this time of year?

Please share your stories. Your note might inspire someone else in our community who could use it right now.

Celebrating love, in all its forms

As Valentine’s Day approaches, romantic love naturally takes center stage. It’s important—but it’s only one chapter in a much larger story.

Love also shows up in friendships that span decades, in the devotion of caregiving, and in the bonds between parents and children, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and even coworkers who become family over time.

That’s the kind of love I’ve been thinking about.

For this Valentine’s Day, I’d love to hear your stories of love and connection — romantic or otherwise. What are the relationships that shaped you or the moment that changed how you understand love? Who are the people who made you feel seen, supported, or deeply known?

I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts for an upcoming Celebrations Pulse. Your experience may resonate with someone else in our community. As a small thank-you, five randomly selected submissions will receive a surprise from our family of brands.