In this episode of Timeless Wisdom, Dennis Prager takes on a deceptively simple question: Can you act happy even when you don’t feel happy? Dennis argues that happiness is not simply a feeling that happens to us, but something we can actively work toward by changing the way we behave.

Dennis hears from callers who have faced serious hardship, including illness, disability, depression, and difficult circumstances. Their stories reinforce his belief that we often have more influence over our happiness than we realize. Dennis explains why acting with a cheerful disposition can change not only how others respond to us, but how we feel ourselves.

But is “acting happy” dishonest or simply wise? Dennis makes the case that we already behave differently from how we feel in many areas of life, and happiness is no different. What if the fastest way to feel happier isn’t to wait for your mood to change, but to change your behavior first?