3 Ways the Happiest Countries Live Better Than We Do

October 11, 2026October 12, 2026Posted by Steve BlaisingLeave a comment

The world’s happiest countries have something to teach us.

Finland ranks No. 1 again in the 2026 World Happiness Report.

The United States? No. 23.

But look at No. 4.

Costa Rica.

Happy family sharing dinner — Happiness is better when shared. Photo: DisobeyArt / Adobe Stock.

It’s not one of the world’s richest countries.

But its people rate their lives higher than people in…

Sweden
Norway
Netherlands
Luxembourg
Switzerland

Why?

Here are their three treasures for a happier life.

1. The happiest people never forsake family

The 2025 World Happiness Report notes the strong family bonds in Latin American countries.

Family isn’t someone you belong to.

They’re the ones who show up for you in any situation. Think of family like a choir.

happiest countries, stronger connections — The happiest lives are often built around the people we share them with.

Tags: Faith, family, Happiest Countries, Happiness, joy, relationships, Simple Living, World Happiness Report

How to Find Joy When the World Feels Apocalyptic

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026Posted by Steve Blaising2 Comments

Chaos is multiplying faster than a hummingbird’s wings.

Finding joy through nectar — Searching for joy among the trumpet flowers / Amaury Laporte / CC BY 2.0

We see…

wars grinding on around the world.
extreme heat, wildfires, and catastrophic floods.
warnings that artificial intelligence could outrun our ability to control it.

Plenty of news to be down.

But one of God’s tiny creatures shows us how to choose joy.

Tags: awareness, finding joy, hummingbirds, joy

The Joy of Margin: What an Early Morning Jet Ski Ride Taught Me

August 17, 2026August 17, 2026Posted by Steve BlaisingLeave a comment

Walking down to the lake early on a July morning, I feel the joy of margin.

I’m not thinking about meetings or deadlines.

Just space to see…

the lake.
the birds.
the wind.

Margin coffee jet ski — Steve Blaising enjoys early morning coffee on a jet ski, Lake Athens, Texas.

A turtle lifts its head as I ease the jet ski into the calm water.

Soon I’m idling along at four miles an hour, coffee in hand, a camera in the running board.

I’m in no hurry.

Then it hits me. Margin isn’t about finding more time. It’s about protecting time. Margin doesn’t over-schedule. It sets limits before life sets them for us.

Tags: Faith, joy, Margin

Draw Near: Two Words That Can Change Your Life

November 22, 2021August 30, 2026Posted by Steve Blaising4 Comments

Two words can strengthen the most important parts of your life: draw near.

Draw near to what gives your life creativity, connection, and meaning.

Under the Morning Glory Natural Bridge near Moab, Utah. Photo by Bridget Guthrie.

Two words build bridges into the richest resources.

Tags: Creativity, Faith, family, joy

How to Simplify Your Life in Three Minutes

April 26, 2021October 11, 2026Posted by Steve Blaising8 Comments

Simplify and free up your life in three minutes.

That’s how long it takes to catch three treasures from this parable.

Simplify and catch happiness — Life by the river in Mexico/picture alliance/Getty Images

Standing on a pier in Akumal last week, I thought about Heinrich Boll’s 1963 tale of a Mexican fisherman.

Tags: family, Friendship, Happiness, joy, Purpose, Simple Living, Simplicity, Work-Life Balance

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1. The happiest people never forsake family

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Looking forward to sharing with you.