Is there something inherently different about people who maintain a positive attitude, even in the most trying circumstances? Happy souls can be found on every continent, in every culture – but when times get tough they become the minority. What keeps a person from constantly looking backwards, becoming a pillar of salt after everything they’ve ever known is destroyed?

Today we explore thoughts on happiness from around the world. These philosophers and authors provide joyful medicine for suffering souls.

1. Start with the truth.

No matter how insular a life we live, suffering finds us. The question is what will we do when the bully crashes into our heart? The first, inevitable step? Sit with it a while. Understand it. We must face reality before we can ever hope to heal.

2. Change your perspective.

Even though grief sits in our hearts, it cannot be our only companion. Healing begins when we look around and begin to see the roses on the thorn bush. Those people who find happiness during cruddy times manage to also see the good around them – in the beginning it might be nothing more than recognizing a nice breeze while standing at the grave of a loved one. Over time we might be able to reframe our circumstances.

Take my life, for example: Mine is a story of rebuilding.

Rebuilding after living in multiple foster homes. Rebuilding after being separated from my siblings. Rebuilding after losing my brother. Rebuilding after “family” became synonymous with “temporary.” I could just as easily say my story is one of destruction; one cannot rebuild something that hasn’t been destroyed. But here’s the simple truth: Any time I’ve focused on destruction, I am destroyed.

I’d rather see the roses than the thorns. Speaking of which…

3. Blind spots are a gift.

When times get tough truly happy people narrow their vision. This survival skill allows them to keep moving forward without getting distracted by possible emotional drop-offs.

I recently heard Bill Withers on NPR – he’s most known for recording several major hits including “Lean on Me“, “Ain’t No Sunshine“, “Just the Two of Us“, and “Lovely Day.” Most remarkable, Withers walked away from the music biz when the studio’s creative limitations no longer served him. He continues to make music for himself, but he is not interested in being a part of the machine. He doesn’t focus on the glitz and glam he might have missed. Blind spots prevented him from staying in a bad situation and keep him content with what he has.

4. Give light to others.

Common advice after hardship is to “keep busy.” But I can keep busy on Facebook – and that does nothing but feed my depression. Instead, happy people often keep busy in some sort of service.

It’s impossible to feel sad or sorry for myself when I’m helping other people.

When we focus our efforts outside of ourselves it can rekindle a sense of purpose and meaning during trying times – which unlocks our inner summer.

5. Find comfort in community.

There is much we can do on our own, but happy people allow themselves to be fed by community when times get tough. The classic example is the meal served after a funeral, typically at the bereaved’s home. Rather than eat alone, the grieving eat surrounded by loved ones. Simple things, like a walk in the park or watching a movie, are also better with friends.

6. Honor the journey

Real talk? Some sad things stay with us forever, like the death of a loved one. But happy people know to live in the moment, one step at a time. In this way we can keep moving emotionally, even while honoring our loss.

7. Stubborn happiness.

Finding happiness is not a one-stop shopping experience. Being happy is more like tending a garden. Emotional weeds pop up occasionally and the toil of dealing with them can sometimes be a setback. But, years later, we look back and remember the amazing tomatoes we grew… without much thought to the thistles and dandelions… and how little control over them we really had.

Happiness is as simple – and as complicated – as that.