It finally crystallized for me, that I have a weird sort of religion (if you could call it that).
After decades of chasing after happiness (even at the cost of others' happiness), if I have one core tenet it's this: Above all, safeguard the happiness of others. Empower them to find their own.
And never, NEVER try to gain happiness that can only be had by taking it from someone else.
Funny thing is, I'm far more happy and at peace now than I was in all those years of chasing it. π