What is happiness? Any personal observations and philosophies..?

Question

I am writing a book on happiness. Your response might be included. Please mention your country, age, occupation or just sign anonymous.. or do not include..

Answer 1

Happiness truly means wanting what you get; loving the small, everyday things, because in the long-run, they bring more pleasure than material things or financial success.

The ability to take joy in the sight of the sky or the warmth of the sun on your back is far more reliable than delighting in your first million. How many people who "have it all" keep searching because they feel that "something is missing"?

If one can delight in the sight of the smiles of children; the wonder felt at the sight of all the myriad stars in the heavens; the coolness of damp grass after the heat of pavement; the sudden epiphany of a new idea; the soft caress of a lover; the unexpected beauty of good music; the scent of a flower; the realization of one's own strength and resilience; the sudden smile on a stranger's face; the antics of a cat; the delightful feeling of buoyancy upon sinking into a pool of water; a fresh, crisp, breeze; a warm meal or icy-cold water after long exertion; a bright fire on a cold, wet, stormy night; the comfort of one's own soft bed at the end of the day; or the ever-changing beauty of the sea; one is far more assured of happiness than those who must achieve or attain to feel satisfied.

If you are not happy broke, you will not be happy rich.

Trust me on this one :-))

Answer 2

Happiness is the lack of wanting. We spend our whole lives wanting this item or waiting for this event to happen the way we want it to. In my experience the most unhappy people in the world are the wealthy who seem to have everything and still want more. Simple people, close to the earth and to their families, who have enough to eat and the simple necessities of life and are not persecuted by their government, seem happiest. They still have hardships: deaths, poverty (by our standards), and uncertainties, but they know who they are, where they belong, what they believe, and possess a strong sense of their own self-worth. Americans depend on things: objects, money, education, etc. to define their success (happiness), yet we are the loneliest and probably the least happy of all nations. On average, peasants in countries like China or South America smile and laugh much more and feel less stress than most middle class and wealthy people because their possessions don't own them and the greedy pursuit for more stuff does not obsess them. I grew up on
a "subsistance" 40-acre farm with my parents and grandparents. I did not realize until I joined the navy that we were considered poor. I am now an educator with a 6 year degree and the owner of an international trading company. I live well in a large city but I have lost contact with most of my relatives and the rest have passed away. Even accounting for nostalgia, guess which years I found the happiest.

Answer 3

To me happiness has been the complete embracing of the truth that is my life and the world around me. While much of it causes stress and shock and even horror there is still a subtle happiness in "getting it", if that makes any sense.

Much good luck with the book .. if we can figure out what makes us happy perhaps we can stop making each other sooooo miserable!

Answer 4

Happiness is being contented with what you have. It's the lack of greed and envy. It's doing all that you're capable of and being satisfied with the result.
It's the long haul feeling. Many confuse happiness with joy or pleasure. They're short run feelings. A very happy person will often have periods of sadness or pain, but it's the overall feeling that constitutes happiness.
The opposite is also true. A very unhappy person will often have moments of laughter, pleasure, and joy, but inside of him something makes him dissatisfied with his life, so he takes on feeling of dispare.

Answer 5

Happiness is the state of being comfortable with your 'self' and your surroundings. The proof is seen in newborns and babies. They are in a state of 'happiness' until they are uncomfortable (wet diaper, hungry). As children age, they become more 'aware' of exterior influences and life becomes more complex. Adults have to live without expectations and maintain a healthy ego in order to achieve/maintain happiness. Good Luck !

Answer 6

i apologize because i did not read all of the answers so i hope this is not a duplicate...
Happiness is a myth. Its a biproduct of what you believe another feels when you interact with them in a positive way. comfort, love, even humor are just large amounts of endorphins released into your body, somewhat like an opiot high. you can do whatever you would like... be filthy rich...buy exotic cars...rea lestate...have a family and kids...but you will never truly be happy...

Answer 7

Happiness is a state of mind.
(take a moment and think about it)
Australian Citizen of Indian decent Male IT Professional

Answer 8

Happiness is a felling of achievement, a felling that some resistance was overcome.

P.S. I feel that a lot of people confuse contentment with happiness. Just be aware of that.

Answer 9

happiness iz like a drug * or at least to me anyway*
if i dont have it in a long time i get like a black personality ...
but when i get even a little bit *4 me can go a long way *
it changes my black personality into a aqua marine color .....