Note: There aren't appropriate topic to place this discussion under, so I choose depression. Which I guess is the polar opposite of happiness? but the topic is about happiness and not depression.
Is it a state of mind?
Is it because you have a loving partner? (and your happiness depends on that)
Is it having fun? (isn't that temporary, unless you have a loving partner)
Do funny things like joke make you happy? (again, isn't that temporary)
Is happiness when people have found new love? the feeling people get at the beginning of a possible long lasting relationship with a view that this will bring long-term happiness.
Are having children happiness? watching them grow, getting them married, having grandchildren.
What if you don't have any of the above and never will? can you still be happy.
How much importance do you put into making other people happy, outside of your inner-circle's. Are you only happy when you form a group?
Happiness is
...cheating on your diet and losing weight anyway.
Happiness is
...that look on your face when you realize I'm right and you're wrong.
Some people cause happiness wherever they go while some, whenever they go :)
I also believe other people in our lives have an influence our level of happiness.
Happiness is
...being followed by a kitten.
I wanted to share a link below that I found interesting titled, "How to Find Contentment - Happiness That Lasts." - from the tiny life
Wishing you lots of happiness coming your way ..when you least expect it! :)
https://www.google.com/url?esrc=s&q=&rct=j&sa=U&url=https://thetinylife.com/how-to-find-contentment/&ved=2ahUKEwjFve2kt53_AhWWF1kFHaldBFAQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw0SR-VNPeyQzYjdk8_A2BHn
Happiness is
...when you stop obsessing over someone who's wronged you.
Happiness is
...telling your parents you're impressed with their child.
Happiness is
...feeling accomplished.
Happiness is
...lighting new candles.
Happiness is
...ignoring negative people and letting karma do its work.
Happiness is
...outstaring a cat.
Happiness is
...a kind world when you really need it.
Happiness is
...finding a marshmallow in my hot chocolate.
Happiness is
...when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Happiness is
...when you say hi to a passing dog and it feels like it said hi back.
"Happiness is a warm puppy " 💕
@Hopeforhelp22, you're right I should answer the post too and it is a deep question. To be honest I'm still searching, ever searching..
When I was younger, early 20's, to mid-30's. I had a plan for what I thought would be happiness for me. I'm well beyond the 5-0 now. Lots of clichés come to mind, ship has sailed, missed the boat, and so on. This was my kind of a idealistic view on happiness then and I guess it still is.
A deep question, deserves a deep answer.
It all begins with finding a mutual loving partner, a life partner, that understood me completely and I understood them and I don't mean completing each other's sentences. To have children and bring them up to be kind and be compassionate people.
Didn't care about the big house, big car all other material things, I always seemed to know that would never bring happiness,
To live as one with nature as possible, have the simple things in life in a kind off-grid way with some home comforts :) I wouldn't call it living like a Hippie, but I'm one that definitely thinks that systems and money are at the center of a lot of unhappiness and go against nature. I think currently we live in world where you need money to get away from the systems, get freer from the systems, to give us a sense of joy.
and finally I would try to bring happiness to all people I encounter. Try to see what gives them joy and bring them more of it; as if my happiness would rub off on them, and they subsequently pass it on to others.
Btw, a loving partner does not imply to depend on for happiness, but to be a passenger beside me in this fleeting journey on this planet, sharing whatever problems life throws back at you along the way. By loving partner I mean loving without the images people create for one another.
Screeeeeeeeeeeeech....Grinding Halt.... it didn't happen. :)
I guess that's why now, I have moments of happiness rather than have enduring happiness. It was the enduring happiness I strived for, because I believe it to be the natural way for human beings to live on this planet.
It also depends upon what stage of life you’re in. Things that were important to me in my youth don’t matter at all to me today.
Ask a 21 year old what happiness means and then ask a 67 year old like myself what happiness means and I guarantee that you’ll get two entirely different answers.
Anyway, I would say that there is a major difference in having inner joy and being happy. I would rather have joy in my life. Joy is a choice that a person makes rather than chasing after happiness. Happiness is temporary. Inner joy is everlasting contentment.
Happiness is being content and envious of no one.
I loved the comments from others about being out in nature or trapped in a chair w sleeping kids and a dog!
Happiness is
...making peace with your past so it won't mess up your present.
Happiness is
...taking control of your own happiness.
Happiness is being able to see so many good things among the not so good.
Happiness is
...being appreciated.
Happiness is
...standing up for what is right.
Happiness is
...accidentally getting a recipe right.
Happiness is
...a laughter attack for no reason.