Richard Rohr: How to be Happy

Sell all your possessions. Fast every week. Pray every day.

You'd expect a man of God who has taken vows of poverty and chastity to prescribe these sorts of things for those who want to be happy. But Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest whose latest book examines the life and message of St Francis, doesn't reduce happiness to a formula or religious magic bullet.

Instead, the author, speaker and influence on the likes of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell says that happiness is "always an inside job". In this short exclusive video for ChristianToday, Father Richard says that the next drink or meal can never be a source of true happiness and even challenges us to consider whether the question, "how can I be happy?" is the best one to ask.

Pope Francis also recently revealed his top ten secrets to happiness but we think you'll find Father Richard's advice simpler and even more challenging.

related articles
What does it mean to be happy?
What does it mean to be happy?

What does it mean to be happy?

Clergy happiness: \'It\'s the faith and hope that keep us going\'
Clergy happiness: 'It's the faith and hope that keep us going'

Clergy happiness: 'It's the faith and hope that keep us going'

Kay Warren: Health and wealth will ruin you but so will following Jesus
Kay Warren: Health and wealth will ruin you but so will following Jesus

Kay Warren: Health and wealth will ruin you but so will following Jesus

\'Please stop\': tearful Pope Francis pleads for peace
'Please stop': tearful Pope Francis pleads for peace

'Please stop': tearful Pope Francis pleads for peace

News
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain

BBC Two and iPlayer are set to air a new one-hour documentary this Easter charting The Traitors’ winner Harry Clark’s personal pilgrimage from Slough to the Vatican

Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial
Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial

Nesbitt initially indicated that the province would join the trial.

EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey
EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey

Turkey has said the EU is interfering in its internal affairs.

Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection
Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection

The number of Britons giving something up for Lent has fallen sharply over the past decade, according to new research highlighting a significant shift in how the season is observed.