Five components of happiness

Happiness is a personal choice. Many people wrongly believe that happiness depends on what we get in our life, such as money, social status, or love relationship. The fact is that we are using these things to fill what is missing inside.  

1. Self-respect
   Our self-respect is the core of our existence. Lack of self-respect or self-love is the major reason of unhappiness. True self-respect comes from within instead of from outside. It is based on unconditional acceptance of self.

2. Assertiveness
   Being assertive means we can say no to others without feeling guilty. Assertiveness creates a boundary so that our basic value and resources are protected. Lack of assertiveness leads to people-pleasing or failure to stand up to our rights. This further leads to feeling of inferiority.  

3. Letting go the past
   Most sadness or unresolved anger come from our attachment to the past. Given that our life moves only forward and can never turn back, we will experience deep agony if we are haunted by the past. You can never re-live the past. It is gone, forever. Accepting this fact is the only way that we can live in the present, which is how we can enjoy life.

4. A meaningful goal
   Humans are purpose-driven beings. Lack of a meaningful goal leads to boredom, which is one reason of excessive need for entertainment, food, or addictive substances such as alcohol or cigarettes.

5. Human connection
   No one can live without meaningful contact with others. Caring for or giving to others is fundamental to our beings. Without connection with others, such as family members, friends or colleagues, we will experience loneliness and deep void.

If you are unhappy, which piece of above is missing?