Pope Francis on the Secular Secret of Happiness

How heartening to consider that the Catholic Church might finally have a Pope who is at heart a philosopher. In his wonderful New York Times essay titled "Pope Francis and the Art of Joy," Timothy Egan writes:

Last year, [Pope Francis] was asked about his secret to happiness. He said slow down. Take time off. Live and let live. Don’t proselytize. Work for peace. Work at a job that offers basic human dignity. Don’t hold on to negative feelings. Move calmly through life. Enjoy art, books and playfulness.

And how heartening to observe the profound interfaith parallel – this reads much like the Dalai Lama's prescription for happiness.

Then again, secular sage Wendell Berry has been preaching this for decades and [Montaigne for centuries][4].

[4]: http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/07/how-to-live-montaigne/