The definition of happiness is a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy; emotions experienced when in a state of well-being.
Looking into the meaning of happiness a little deeper, not surprisingly the word 'happiness' is derived from the word 'happy.'
If we consider the above dictionary definition of happiness, we, therefore, see that to be happy we need, at the least, to be "content."
Is contentment and joy (i.e. the meaning of happiness) dependent on our personal circumstances - income level, career, how our relationships are going, how we look, how educated we are? Is being happy also dependent on our religious or other affiliation, or the current local or global economic or political condition?
If you wish, also see Wikipedia for a more in-depth meaning of happiness; and the Classical Greek word for joy: eudaimonia. Also see this dictionary for further information, including the origin of the word happiness.
"No man is quick enough
to enjoy life to the full."
From earliest childhood, we have been developing our very own definition of happiness. Most of this development has been through 'conditioning' - what we have witnessed by example, and have been told - from parents, family, and the society we live in. We probably haven't spent much time actually thinking about what makes us happy. Most often we leave it all to our repressed emotions, and we simply know what makes us 'feel' comfortable.
Most of us feel 'happy' when we pursue something that means something to us. Even when we aren't in the best of health or our funds are limited, thinking about, and planning, and then buying 'stuff,' or doing 'things' excites us. We are invigorated when an idea or opportunity comes our way that makes us 'feel' happy. For example, a friend invites us to come along on an exotic vacation, and the thought comes into our head, "Oh, I'd love to do that!".
We then go into an excited frenzy figuring out just how we could make that happen - the money, the time off work, who would look after the cat. For a time we are enthusiastic; our job is all of a sudden a 'blessing' due to providing the money to achieve this goal, rather than the usual daily grind. We have a purpose, a passion - for the moment, we are happy!
On a much larger life-scale, we might eagerly plan and prepare for our firstborn. We are completely thrilled and happy with the idea of having a baby ... until one itty-bitty newborn throws our lives upside down and we give a thought to why we really wanted to do this in the first place!
Another example is the passion and excitement of a new romance ... until the reality of everyday life dulls the luster, and we become disappointed and disillusioned.
These are the realities of life - it doesn't make the thrill of a baby or a relationship less satisfying or desirable. We simply need to realize and accept, that once we 'have' these things, our initial "intense joy" happy feelings WILL diminish to a great degree. Our happiness - created by having the baby or the relationship, or the new job, or going on vacation - settles down from thrill and excitement to a lovely feeling of "contentment" and satisfaction. It's all still "happiness."
Just because we aren't on a perpetual high, doesn't mean we aren't happy!
"Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful."
Usually, 'stuff' loses it's luster very quickly. Think about that new outfit, the pair of shoes, car, even house, television set, or another gadget that you were just 'dying to have' ... how long did it hold it's pre-purchased appeal? How long did it make you happy? With most things, it isn't for long, and that's normal ... we then set our sights on the next 'thing' and repeat the process all over again, and again, and again.Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful."
We not only 'get' stuff, but also we 'do' things in our lives to fulfil our own personal definition of happiness, e.g. we make a decisive and passionate decision to go back to school and get that degree; or fervently learn new skills to enable us to change jobs; or we become extremely disappointed with our relationship and make the decision to leave our partner.
We are acting out our definition of happiness ... "getting that degree and therefore the career I want" / "leaving my incompatible partner" / "buying my dream car" / "moving to a bigger house" ... will make me happy!
Therefore, yes, our happiness DOES depend on our income level, career, how our relationships are going, how we look, how educated we are, our religious or other affiliation, and the current local and/or global economic or political condition, etc. So does that mean that if things aren't going along in our lives according to OUR definition of happiness (e.g. we don't have the income level we want, or our ideal career/job, or our idea of a perfect relationship, we are doomed to basically be unhappy and unfilled our entire lives?
Yes, it certainly does! But, thankfully you can do something to change this. :) It's not difficult ... and happy and fruitful people apply it to their lives every day. It just takes a bit of your time, and a lot of your thinking to follow 3 fundamental steps in re-evaluating your definition of happiness and working out exactly how you can be truly happy ...
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