Steve Jobs encouraged us to look around and realize that everything we see was created by people no smarter than us.

He was very helpfully pointing out an obvious truth we so often forget: the way the world currently operates isn’t set in stone or necessarily how it always has to be. It can be changed (for better or worse) by people with enough drive and persistence.

It got me thinking.

If I was to make a change in the world, what would it be?

I can think of at least one stand out answer:

I would want happiness classes taught in schools.

When I think about all of the ways my soul, perspective, relationships and life have transformed in beautiful and amazing ways since learning a few key life lessons and Universal truths, I can’t help but feel that it’s almost a little crazy that these kind of life lessons aren’t a fundamental part of education.

We learn language, science, maths and history, but so few of us are taught key life lessons on happiness and self-growth that would help us navigate the world. Lessons like:

• how to be respons-able rather than reactive
• how to be mindful and present
• the freedom found in acceptance and surrender
• our wholeness and worth as human beings no matter what we have or haven’t achieved, and
• the importance of seeing the light within everyone, beneath their titles, roles and social status.

We learn how to play sports, paint and write, but we’re not taught crucial tools and techniques for mastering our monkey minds, observing rather than being consumed by our emotions, or appreciating and feeling deep gratitude for all of the good in our lives.

Implicitly – through the status quo, media and expectations of others – we’re also taught that we should try and fit in and measure ourselves up against others.

When maybe what we should be taught is that there’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ person, only a ‘normal’ of us – where we’re completely ourselves, we love ourselves deeply and we think and act in ways that feel aligned with our souls.

We’re taught that there’s a single definition of success, and it involves an established career, large house, acceptable body shape, marriage and annual holidays.

When maybe we should be taught that everyone has their own path to walk in this life, and what brings true meaning and deep fulfilment differs for all of us. We should be encouraged to live, work, date, play, create, travel, eat, drink, move, laugh and sing in ways that feel right with our soul. That is true success.

Possibly the most damaging myth of them all, we’re taught that daily happiness and joy is a silly and starry-eyed goal, and we should be more realistic.

Happiness is THE ultimate goal of our lives, and it is both worthwhile and attainable.
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Our purpose is to blossom into our full authentic magnificent selves. There should be no guilt or scorn attached to pursuing this endeavour.

Let me leave you with this food for thought: how would YOU change the world, if you knew you could?

Elyse Gorman is a writer and life coach at NotesOnBliss.com, your guide to happiness and creating a beautiful life. She is also the creator of the Beautiful Life Bootcamp eCourse. For free updates and inspiration, sign up now. You can follow her on Twitter or FB.

Image courtesy of Brooklyn Morgan.