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
Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth
Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth

Under the changes, a woman who terminates her pregnancy by herself after the 24-week limit will not face any legal sanctions.

SNP 'conversion therapy' ban would be 'fundamentally illiberal'
SNP 'conversion therapy' ban would be 'fundamentally illiberal'

SNP support has dropped, but they are still the frontrunners for next month's elections.

Franklin Graham pushes back against Pope's war comments amid war of words with Trump
Franklin Graham pushes back against Pope's war comments amid war of words with Trump

Graham told Piers Morgan that while he did not want or support war, there was justification for it "when you're fighting evil".

Archbishop of Canterbury joins Pope in call for peace
Archbishop of Canterbury joins Pope in call for peace

The Pope has been outspoken against the latest war in the Middle East.