Listen to episode 494 of the Inspirational Living podcast: The Royal Road to Happiness | William George Jordan. Edited and adapted from The Majesty of Calmness. Happiness Podcast Excerpt: Welcome to the Inspirational Living podcast. Right now you can get all 3 of our eBooks (Evergreen, Everest, and Evermore) altogether for the one low price of $9.99. Each book of life lessons contains 50 inspirational essays that were once featured on this podcast. To get your copies now, go to InspirationalLifeLessons.com. Thank you. Today’s reading was edited and adapted from The Majesty of Calmness by William George Jordan, published in 1900. "During my whole life I have not had twenty-four hours of happiness." So said Prince Otto von Bismarck, one of the greatest statesmen of the nineteenth century. Imagine that! Eighty-three years of wealth, fame, honors, power, influence, prosperity and triumph – years when he held an empire in his fingers – but not one day of happiness! Happiness is the greatest paradox in Nature. It can grow in any soil, live under any condition. It defies environment. It comes from within. It is the revelation of the depths of the inner life, as light and heat proclaim the sun from which they come. Happiness consists not of having, but of being; not of possessing, but of enjoying. It is the warm glow of a heart at peace with itself. A martyr at the stake may have happiness that a king on his throne might envy. We are the creator of our own happiness. It is the aroma of a life lived in harmony with high ideals. For what we have may be dependent on others; what we are rests with us alone. And what we obtain in life is but an acquisition; what we attain is growth. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/inspirational-living/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy