Outraged. This, the status of one Capuchin monkey after a lab assistant took a slice of apple from its bowl. In the good name of science of course, a psychological study was conducted with two monkeys. One monkey was simply given a slice of apple. The result? One happy monkey. The second monkey wasn’t as lucky. He was given two slices of apple. Then, forced to watch in monkey-horror as one of his juicy slices was taken back.

Each monkey ultimately received one slice of apple. Yet, the loss experienced by the second monkey made for two drastically different outcomes.

Much has changed in my life this month. As I soul-search for answers, I keep returning to the following thought. You and only you, are responsible for your own contentment with life. Do not, I repeat do not put this on any person, accomplishment, or physical thing. It’s yours, and accepting this can change your life.

Lovers, fancy job-titles, fast cars, gourmet food, can and do evoke immense joy. But life will inevitably take something away, and to avoid suffering, you must learn to be totally happy independently.

If for example, your default state is to be unsatisfied and you constantly search for people or things to increase your level of satisfaction, I bid you the best of luck. Because you’re going to be duly disappointed. If however, your neutral state starts at content, you’re going to have an entirely different experience.

Here’s the big secret, the first monkey wasn’t expecting two slices, he was happy with one. When you become the supplier of your own happiness, you gain all the leverage. Instead of consuming contentment from people and things, it will be others who seek the joy of your company.

Don’t just be with someone or something that makes you happy, be someone that makes you happy. When you take responsibility, when happiness originates from within, no lab assistant can take it from you. The magic's been there the whole time, and it belongs to you.