Every decision we make is driven by a desire for happiness. But often, what we do may bring temporary pleasure but may actually make us less happy in the long run (think eating a whole bag of chips).

Many of us try futilely to control every aspect of our lives. But control is an illusion. We can do our best to create a perfectly calm life, but life may have other plans for us.

While we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control how we experience and react to them. That is where mindfulness comes in.