Hector and the Search for Happiness was by far one of the most inspiring and thought provoking movies I have seen in a long time. From beginning to end it left me thinking, "I need to change the way I look at life." So here are a few things I learned while watching this movie:

1. Making Comparisons can soil your happiness

I have found this to be so true. Constantly seeking out the grass on the other side will never make happiness.

2. Taking risks can make you happy

If you never take risks how do you know if it will make you happy or not?

3. Money doesn't make you happy

Nor can it buy love.

4. Many people only see happiness in their future

Only seeing happiness in your future doesn't bring happiness. Learn to be happy in the moment.

5. Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story

This is one of those things that you will just have to see the movie to understand.

6. Going through things can make you happy

If life is constantly good, you would never learn to appreciate what it means to be happy.

7. More important than what we are searching for is what we are avoiding

Sometimes what you are avoiding is keeping you from your happiness.

8. Avoiding unhappiness is not the road to happiness

Because with avoiding unhappiness you become unhappy.

9. Simple pleasures can make you happier than you will ever know they can

Sometimes a good hug will be what brings the most joy in a day.

10. If your happiness makes other people unhappy is it true happiness

No, of course not.

11. Happiness is answering your calling

Because there is no better road to happiness than through living out your dreams.

12. The mind can hurt as much as the body

Mental health is just as important as emotional health.

13. Happiness is being loved for who you are

It is so freeing to be yourself and be loved as you are

14. Sweet Potato Stew

Again, you gotta watch the movie to understand.

15. Fear is an impediment to happiness

Fear will smother out the happiness.

16. Happiness is feeling completely alive

17. Happiness is knowing how to celebrate

18. People who are afraid of death are afraid of life

19. Listening is loving

20. Don't think about what might have been thinking about what is

21. Nostalgia is just not what it used to be

22. Experience happiness as a state of being, untarnished joy, everything was alright

23. The more we focus on our own personal happiness the harder it is to find, don't be self-absorbed

24. We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness but the happiness of the pursuit

26. Happiness is experiencing every emotion and processing them properly

With all that said, I encourage people to see this movie. I caught a lot of great life changing scenes, but I'm sure there is much more to learn from it.