Happiness depends on a rich social and cultural life, purpose, adventure/stimulation, attachment, identity, belonging, and increased light of Christ. These are all found in faith, hope, and loving God, ourselves and others. In this blog, we will look at how faith and hope in others and loving others brings happiness.
Faith and Hope in Others
Faith in Christ leads to salvation. Further, because of our faith in Christ, we can have faith in others. We can believe that they can overcome challenges with His grace. We can have the assurance (hope) that God is helping all His children in His wisdom and love. He doesn’t go against anyone’s will, but He always watches over us. We can hope that in God’s way and time other’s capacities to love, learn, and believe will increase.
Loving Others Increases Our Intelligence (Light)
You will develop socially and have many adventures as you love others. As mentioned earlier, our social life also correlates with our cognitive, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical growth. Some of this happens as we participate in group sports, arts and cultural activities done with others, organized religion, and formal education classes. We can also learn to regulate emotions through interactions with others.
Let’s look at some specific social relationships and how they help us be fulfilled and happy.
Marriage
Marriage is a unique catalyst for growth. If my husband or I are unhappy in our relationship it indicates a need for change. Marriage, like nothing else, refines a person.
What happens as we work out problem after problem and forgive one another? We become more whole as individuals and our capacity for happiness grows. In addition, working out our problems makes us closer.
Marriage is also unique in its ability to provide attachment and belonging. I address some of these issues in “How to have Unity with Your Spouse and Children” and “Tips for a Great Sex Life“. (The last-mentioned post is only for adults).
Relatives
Our nuclear and extended families are very important to our social and cultural life, pleasure, growth, belonging, identity, and attachment. See my post How to have Unity with Your Spouse and Children. We feel joy when we spend time together, worship, study together, and talk. If we don’t live together, we can plan reunions, visit one another, and talk through modern technology regularly. Studying our family history on top of all this can give us a sense of identity, culture, and heritage— like a foundation.
Nuclear Family 
Sibling Bonding
In March my parents took us to Texas to visit my aunts, uncles, cousins, and my grandfather that is still living. When we returned, my kid’s teachers and I noticed how happy and well behaved the boys were. They asked what we had done over Spring Break. I wondered what it was about the trip that had impacted them. I believe it was the stimulation and adventure as well as the time they spent connecting with extended family.
Time with my Cousins and Grammy. 
The boys with Poppy (Their Grandpa) and their Great Uncle. 
Jacob and his Great-Grandpa
Friends
Friends can be a great source of strength and joy. They participate with us in cultural and social activities. We can have adventures with our friends and learn with them and from them. Real friends, like healthy family relationships, support us in our life’s purpose and help us see and become who we really are.
I will always remember the day when I was struggling emotionally as a mother of toddlers and my friend dropped by unannounced. She visited with me for about an hour while her kids played with mine. When she left my mood was completely changed. I was happy and positive, and I felt ready to take on my responsibilities as a parent.
Time With… 
Friends
Everyone
Beyond family and friends, we can serve and be civil to everyone. In We All Are “An Awesome Person” and “I love you, but I don’t like you.” Like vs. Love I contemplate unconditional love for everyone from the store clerk to your best friend. At the end of the day the things that are most meaningful to me are conversations and interactions with others— building relationships. I have found that I sometimes feel very close to the Savior by seeing the light of Christ in humanity— my fellow brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
When we take time to be with and love others, as well as have faith and hope in others, we will feel increased fulfillment and happiness in our lives. This is largely the result of the light of Christ increasing in our lives as we do these things.
When we feel fulfilled by love and light the need to turn to food, entertainment, shopping, addictions, or ego disappears. Then we are living by light and Spirit instead of by the flesh.
What if we feel like we are having faith, hope, and loving God, ourselves, and others but we still don’t feel happy or like we have a rich social and cultural life, purpose, adventure/stimulation, attachment, identity, belonging, and increased light of Christ?
The next blog post (How to be Happy – Part 5, Obstacles to Happiness) will talk about things that block our happiness and our efforts to connect with one another.
Wow! I am so touched. Thank you for your comment. I am glad you stumbled onto my blog. Thanks for the encouragement!