The poet Rumi once said, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it”.

The same thing could be said of happiness. Instead of looking outwards for happiness, simply look within at all the ways you are preventing yourself from being happy in this very moment — and work on letting them go.

To get you started, here are 27 common things that prevent our happiness.

1. Forgetting our inherent worth.

Your worth is not contingent on external factors like your titles, relationship status, financial situation or career. These are just roles you play in life. As a human being, you are inherently worthwhile and whole.

2. Worrying about the future.

When you worry about what might go wrong in your life, you’re creating your own personal hell in an otherwise peaceful and beautiful present moment.

3. Comparison.

Mark Twain once said, “Comparison is the death of joy”...

Setting regular goals is an empowering way to proactively create the life of your dreams, rather than floating along at the mercy of external events and circumstances.

Here are 10 key things happy people understand when it comes to setting goals and achieving their dreams.

1. They don’t put their happiness on hold until their goal is achieved.

Happy people know that life is a journey, not a destination. While they may have ambition and big plans in the works, they also pause to soak up and appreciate the present moment and all of the good things already in their lives.

This appreciation for life in turn gives them the inspiration and positive energy to continue achieving their goals. As the saying goes, success does not bring happiness; happiness brings success.

2. They don’t see success and failure as black and white.

A collection of the best quotes on your soul and inner spirit, to remind you of Who You Really Are.

(For other quote collections, click here.)

“You are the Universe expressing itself as a human for a little while.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”  ~ C.S. Lewis

“Find yourself, and be that.” ~ Anon

“Stop acting so small. You are the Universe in ecstatic motion.” ~ Rumi

“If you don’t take risks, you’ll have a wasted soul.” ~ Drew Barrymore

“Listen to your own voice, your own soul. Too many people listen to the noise of the world, instead of themselves.” ~ Anon

“It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.” ~ Dame Rebecca West

It’s the perfect time of year to reflect on everything learned and experienced in 2014, and to set new beautiful goals and inspiring intentions for the next twelve months (and beyond).

If you’re looking for ideas, here are 21 habits of happy people you can adopt in 2015. Discover how they can transform your soul and life.

1. Forgive more.

The Buddha once said, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Remember that everyone is fighting their own battle, and everyone is trying their best. Learn to forgive other people and set yourself free.

2. Meditate.

Meditation has been shown to improve your sleep, memory, focus, health and stress-levels. It also boosts your creativity and compassion. Start with two minutes a day and build yourself up to longer sittings.

Understanding these beautiful truths about you and the world can transform your life.

1. Your purpose in life is to be you

In every way possible. Eat the foods you like, dance to your favourite tunes, read your favorite books, make your jokes, laugh your laugh, smile your smile.

2. All the answers are within

We have been taught to look outward for the answers to our problems. But the truth is, your soul knows what to do. Trust that you have everything you’ll ever need inside of you right in this moment.

3. Words are powerful

The word love produces an energy which ripples out into the world, as do the words “I can’t do this, I’m hopeless, I’m not beautiful, I’m not good enough.” Watch your words – they can cement your current reality or spark big changes.

4. You are a prisoner of your beliefs

Realise that you see the world through the lens of your dominant beliefs. And realise you can change your dominant beliefs, thereby changing the world you see.

5. You have a unique gift to bring to the world

You are a once-in-a-humankind blend of passions, desires, talents, quirks and magic. If you don’t give your gifts to the world, no one else can, and the world will be a poorer place.