Throughout 2025, I am spending the first full weekend of each month reflecting on ideas drawn from Gretchen Rubin’s bestselling book The Happiness Project. For August, the overarching theme is “Eternity”—a concept I have personally reframed as “Mortality.” Today’s post explores a tantalizing idea for cultivating more happiness. Specifically, we are taking up the question of whether you can become more like a spiritual master simply by emulating behaviors.
At first glance, this might seem like an overly ambitious undertaking. However, the concept is grounded in a long-standing tradition of studying the lives of great people. Biographies of influential leaders, thinkers, and creators have long served as roadmaps for those looking to improve their own lives. Rubin extends that idea into the spiritual realm, suggesting that happiness can be found by modeling the habits and mindsets of those who seem to radiate joy, peace, and meaning.
The best example of this mindset in our current culture is embodied by the question, “What would Jesus do? ” Whether your spiritual master is a religious figure, a historical leader, or a modern-day mentor, observing how they respond to adversity, treat others, and maintain perspective can offer profound lessons.
This idea also translates beautifully to tennis. Many players admire professionals not only for their skill but also for their demeanor. Emulating someone with a calm, composed court presence can be transformative. Roger Federer is almost universally revered for his poise and generosity of spirit. Adopting those external behaviors, smiling, staying positive, and treating opponents with respect, can influence our internal state. In fact, happiness might follow the behavior, rather than the other way around.
Another common trait among spiritual masters is service to others. That principle applies to tennis as well. Helping another player improve, volunteering at a tournament, or simply being an ambassador to the sport are acts of service that not only benefit others but also generate a deeper sense of meaning and connection for ourselves.
Ultimately, happiness is often a choice. The spiritual masters we admire tend to focus on what is good, right, and uplifting. We can make that same choice. By studying their example and modeling our own behavior accordingly, we can cultivate a more positive mindset, even during a bad day of tennis.
The challenge for today is to identify someone—on or off the court—whose joy and integrity inspires you. Then watch closely. Try adopting one small aspect of how they carry themselves. You might find that acting a little happier… makes you feel a little happier, too.
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Throughout 2025, I am dedicating the first full weekend of every month to exploring how ideas from Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project (<- Sponsored Link) can spark greater enjoyment and happiness in tennis. This is a non-tennis book that I have come to believe everyone should read. Seriously, you should get your hands on a copy of this book and consider trying some of the techniques described by the author.
