In this Life Unfiltered segment from The Know Buddies 757, Jackie and Kashmir continue their “New Year, New You” series, focusing on how to create your own happiness through mindset, faith, and daily choices.

What starts as a conversation about positive thinking quickly turns into something deeper—exploring the difference between happiness and joy, and why true fulfillment doesn’t come from circumstances, but from within.

Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Difference?

One of the first things discussed is the idea that:

👉 happiness and joy are not the same thing

Happiness is often tied to:

  • circumstances
  • outcomes
  • external situations

But joy?

👉 comes from within—and from God

It’s something that can exist even when:

  • life feels heavy
  • things aren’t going right
  • circumstances don’t change

We Create More of Our Unhappiness Than We Think

A powerful point from this conversation:

👉 many people unintentionally create their own unhappiness

Through things like:

  • worry
  • resentment
  • negative thinking
  • self-pity

Even though not all hardship is self-created…

👉 how we respond plays a major role in how we feel

Becoming Like a Child Again

One of the simplest—but most meaningful ideas:

👉 children naturally find joy in small things

  • simple moments
  • everyday experiences
  • things adults often overlook

The takeaway?

👉 happiness can come from learning to see life differently again

It’s Not Just Thinking—It’s Action

This isn’t just about saying positive things.

It’s about:

👉 aligning your thoughts, words, and actions

Because it’s easy to say:

  • “I’m going to be happy”
  • “I’m going to be grateful”

But if your actions don’t match?

👉 it doesn’t stick

The “Happiness Formula”

A key concept discussed is a simple—but challenging—way to live:

  • keep your heart free from hate
  • keep your mind free from worry
  • live simply
  • expect less
  • give more
  • think of others

Sounds simple…

👉 but actually living it takes intention

Changing Your Thought Life

One major takeaway:

👉 your thoughts shape your experience

If you constantly expect:

  • negativity
  • frustration
  • problems

👉 you’ll start to see it everywhere

But when you shift your mindset?

👉 your perspective begins to change

You Can’t Depend on Others for Happiness

Another important truth:

👉 you can’t rely on other people to make you happy

Whether it’s:

  • relationships
  • friendships
  • marriage

That expectation can become:

👉 unhealthy and unsustainable

Real happiness has to come from:

👉 within yourself first

Faith: The Missing Piece

This is where the conversation goes deeper.

Because mindset alone isn’t enough.

👉 true, lasting happiness comes from God

Through:

  • faith
  • surrender
  • spiritual transformation

Because without that foundation:

👉 it becomes much harder to sustain joy

🔥 Daily Choices Matter

Happiness isn’t something you decide once.

👉 it’s a daily choice

Even in small moments like:

  • doing chores
  • going to work
  • handling stress

You can choose to:

👉 approach it differently

Finding Joy in Difficult Seasons

Life isn’t always going to feel good.

There will be:

  • challenges
  • pressure
  • uncertainty

But even in those moments:

👉 joy is still possible

Through:

  • perspective
  • faith
  • choosing not to stay stuck mentally

Surrender & Letting Go of Control

One of the deepest points in this conversation:

👉 real joy often comes from letting go

Letting go of:

  • control
  • expectations
  • how you think life “should” look

And trusting:

👉 God’s plan instead

🔥 Final Thoughts

This segment is a reminder that happiness isn’t something you wait for.

👉 it’s something you build

Through:

  • your mindset
  • your actions
  • your faith

Because at the end of the day:

👉 you don’t have to stay stuck in unhappiness

👉 Want to stay In the Know?

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📧 connect@theknowbuddies757.com 

📲 Text us: 757-756-7487

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