[Music] hello our lovely friends welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast we're so thrilled to have you here with us today and today we've got a super enjoyable topic lined up for you trust me you're going to love this one this one's so relatable because let's be honest we all want happiness and peace in our lives our topic today is the world's most peaceful country and happiest people but before we dive into the conversation remember you're here to learn English too if you notice any new words note them down this is your chance to improve your listening skills and of course work on your conversation skills with us so Kirsten let me ask you this are you happy in your life that's an interesting question James to be hon I'd say yes I'm happy but not as much as I'd like to be oh I see that's a pretty honest answer it sounds like you found some happiness but there's still room for more huh yes exactly I think everyone has those moments where they're happy but there's always something more they're striving for you know well that's a great point but let's dive a bit deeper what do you think the true definition of happiness is hm that's that's a tough one I'd say happiness is different for everyone for me it's a sense of Peace contentment and doing what you love it's not just about big achievements or material things it's more about enjoying the little moments and being at peace with where you are in life what about you James what's your take on happiness I love that perspective for me happiness is about balance it's about having meaningful relationships pursuing my passions and feeling fulfilled in what I do it's also about being grateful for the present moment rather than constantly looking for the next thing wow that's really nice and I love how you put it it's true gratitude and balance are key you know we often think that the richest people must be the happiest because they have everything they want but do you think wealth truly brings more happiness or is there something deeper at play here that's an interesting question James I think wealth can bring comfort and security but it doesn't guarantee happiness sometimes people with a lot of money feel more pressure loneliness or emptiness true happiness comes from within and having meaningful relationships purpose and peace of mind can't be bought what do you think James you know what let's throw this question to you our awesome listeners do you think rich people are happier than everyone else or is there more to happiness than just money we'd love to hear what you think drop a comment well James are celebrities really as happy as they seem wow that's an interesting question Kirsten no one's ever asked me that before I mean on the surface celebrities seem like they have everything fame money and luxury but do you think that's enough to guarantee true happiness exactly we see them buying expensive cars wearing the latest designer clothes and eating at the finest restaurants it seems like they've got everything but do you think all of that material stuff really makes them happy James that's the million-dollar question right luxuries might bring some temporary excitement but happiness in the long run seems to come from deeper things like personal fulfillment relationships and peace of mind many celebrities struggle with their mental health loneliness and the pressures that come with Fame it's a whole World well Kiren do you think our societies play any role in our happiness and mental health or is it more about personal choices and individual circumstances absolutely James I believe Society plays a significant role in our happiness and mental health I truly agree with you if your neighbor is good you will feel like family on the other hand if your neighbor is bad or unfriendly you might feel isolated or even stressed in your own home the people around us whether it's neighbors co-workers or friends can either uplift us or drain our energy well said James we often see that neighbors are fighting they don't like each other at all they gossip about one another and create unnecessary tension this kind of negativity can make life so much harder especially when you're supposed to feel relaxed and safe in your community okay let's talk about something different what makes a country peaceful that's an interesting question James I think a peaceful country is built on several key factors first good governance plays a huge role yes When leaders are fair and just and work for the well-being of all citizens it creates a sense of trust and stability yeah second access to education and Healthcare is essential because an informed and healthy population is better equipped to resolve conflict and contribute to society if you ask me about the most peaceful countries name list I would say countries like Iceland New Zealand and Denmark come to mind they consistently rank high on Global Peace indexes these countries focus on equality social welfare and maintaining a low crime rate plus they have strong systems in place for Education Healthcare and environmental sustainability it's inspiring to see how much Harmony can be achieved when a Nation prioritizes these values but you know Kirsten people nowadays are frustrated and depressed for various reasons even in peaceful countries the pressures of Modern Life like Financial stress work demands and social media comparisons can take a toll on Mental Health that's right imagine in Old Times like in villages people used to lead simple lives they didn't have the constant distractions of Technology or the pressures of keeping up with others on social media yes in short their lives were more focused on family community and basic needs they spent more time Outdoors worked with their hands and relied on each other for support they also needed money but they didn't rely on it as heavily as we do today bartering and self-sufficiency were common they grew their own food made their own clothes and built their own homes life was less about material material wealth and more about meeting basic needs and enjoying the Simple Pleasures of Life how can we find happiness in tiny things Kirsten I mean in today's world it feels like we're always chasing bigger goals but what about the small joys in life that's such a wonderful thought James I think happiness in tiny things starts with gratitude when we appreciate the small blessings like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day a kind word from a friend or even just watching the sunset we realize how rich life truly is absolutely it's about being mindful isn't it take a moment to savor the present instead of always worrying about the future or dwelling on the past exactly it's also about simplifying Our Lives sometimes we over complicate things with too many choices and distractions focusing on what truly matters family health or a hobby can make even the smallest moments feel significant so true happiness isn't always about the destination it's about enjoying the journey and finding Beauty in the little things along the way well said James life is full of tiny Miracles we just need to slow down and notice them