This is a rendition of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics for contemporary readers. Brief, understandable pieces with a short practice to integrate the wisdom into your life. No philosophical background necessary.
Happiness is divine. While it comes about through the best actions, it still requires some externals that are instrumental in bringing it about. Imagine a person without good birth, good children or beauty. Can they really be characterized as happy?
But there are other externalities that we can acquire. It is those that we should assess and pursue.
What are those instrumental things necessary for happiness?
It’s not enough to read. You must clothe these ideas in your concrete reality. This practice is to bring this wisdom into your life.
Be serious about living well.
Practice:
Write a list of all the things that are absolutely necessary for you to be happy.
After you finish the list, look over it and see if there is anything to add or subtract.
Lastly, note which things you have, and which you are currently lacking.