Top Highlights

• There is a tremendous irony in happiness. It comes from a root word meaning ‘by chance’ or ‘an occurrence’, which in a positive sense connotes a sense of newness, wonder, and appreciation of chance occurrences. The irony is that people not only seek it, they try to hold on to it – especially to avoid any sense of ‘unhappiness’.
• feeling good can be a very unhappy pursuit.
• happiness dies unless it is held lightly.
• Instead of teaching new techniques to pursue happiness, ACT teaches ways to undermine struggle, avoidance, and loss of the moment.