Jake Pearson  00:00

Are you trying to figure out the secret to happiness, we're here What Makes You Happy with Jake Pearson, we want to make that happiness more accessible for you in your life. So stick around as we interview everyday people, inspirational leaders and your favorite celebrities on what makes them happy.

Welcome back to the podcast where we ask the simple question, what makes you happy? 

My name is Jake Pearson. And today we have with us an Executive Coach, Keren Eldad from Austin, Texas. Keren, how are you?

Keren Eldad 00:37

I'm great. Jake, thank you so much for having me.

Jake Pearson  00:39

Oh, it's a pleasure. Thank you for coming on the podcast. Looking forward to hearing what makes you happy. You've got a guest with you, don't you?

Keren Eldad 00:46

I sure do. This is Moose, the cat,

Jake Pearson  00:47

Hi moose! 

Keren Eldad 00:49

He makes me happy.

Jake Pearson  00:50

I love that love to elaborate on that with you. What else makes you happy?

Keren Eldad 00:55

Well, you know, Jake, that's actually a loaded question you, you always ask these wonderful questions. And it's such a simple way to get to the heart of people. But I think what people would most benefit from is first a little pre spiel on what happiness is. Because many people think that happiness, or joy is an ephemeral term or an abstract term, but it's not, it's actually a very concrete concept. And happiness has three types: 

1. The first is pleasure, fun, the happiness you feel when you acquire something, when you accomplish something, when you get a little high. That's not real happiness. The other two are real happiness. 

1. The second is flow, to do something, when you love it so much that it makes time stop.

1. And the third is meaning, which is really about appreciation and service, things that give life a greater meaning than just its focus. 

So when you asked me the question, Keren, what makes you happy? I knew the answer. It's my work, which is extraordinarily meaningful to me, I find deep appreciation and service through it. And my wonderful husband, Ryan, he himself doesn't make me happy. That's not his job. But the marriage itself, the relationship, the dynamic makes me very happy. 

Jake Pearson  02:05

I really resonate with that the appreciation for that, and not just the relationship itself. And I've found that I've met plenty of people who focus on met the other people or the other person in the relationship, trying to make them happy, thinking that if they're in a relationship that's going to make them happy now, it's the meaning, it's the connection, it's the relationship itself. Beautifully said.

Keren Eldad 02:26

Thank you, you know, all people who think that all their problems will be solved forever, when they get married, should really just get married and see what it's like. It's about the relationship. It's not about the thing.

Jake Pearson  02:37

Yes, I was saying, fall in love with someone who has values that align with yours. Yeah, not just because of their looks, or some of their interests may be similar. The values are what you will ultimately connect with them on a deeper level. And that's where you'll find meaning and appreciation? What would you say to our listeners who are struggling with a bit of happiness in their life? Does that tie in to what you said, about your unhappiness?

Keren Eldad 03:01

The most interesting things that can happen to you in life is to become unhappy. But that's actually very useful. Because how else would you understand happiness, you can see it as a challenge, if you can understand that it's your soul yearning to be happy. And that's why it's experiencing unhappiness. The point I'm trying to make is try to give it a little bit of a spin, give it some meaning that allow you to cultivate the next and then do the work. I appreciate enormously people who work on themselves, I myself do, I also do that for a living, and find your ways to be happy. Find your ways to cultivate happiness. And to take from the definition that I shared with people before, really there are two things you can start to do today, right now, to cultivate happiness. Unless of course, you're in the real abysmal clutches of depression. And of course, I appreciate that that's a different state. But if you're in a different condition, and you're ready to become happier, the two things you can do are: 

1. Take stock of what you appreciate just three things every day me moves this life, talking to Jake, that's enough to feel appreciation. 

1. Find something to serve that is bigger than yourself. Volunteer, give, call somebody who could use a cheering up anything you can do to get outside your own head is going to start to make you happy.

Jake Pearson  04:17

Beautifully said! Keren, thank you so much for coming on the podcast and sharing all things that make you happy and your beautiful definition of what happiness is and isn't.

Keren Eldad 04:24

I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Have a great time!

Jake Pearson  04:27

Thank you. And if you'd love to connect with Keren, you can do so by clicking the podcast episode description below. Go check out their Instagram, and any other resources that we have for you. We'll talk to you soon, Keren. Thank you! 

Thanks for listening to the podcast. We hope it gives you something to think about on your quest to discover what makes you happy. Make sure to check out whatmakesyouhappypodcast.com to connect with today's guest and follow us on all our social media platforms and to stay up to date on what's happening next and what makes you happy. Don't forget to share this episode with a friend and we'll see you next time!