HAPPINESS! - What it really is, and why we strive for it our entire lives!

[laurieluvsit]

WHAT IS REAL HAPPINESS?

Is it a relationship? ... is it a soul mate, a partner for life? ... is it solitude? ... is it fame? ...fortune? ...is it children? ...is it an exotic island all of your own? ...is it owning your own business? ...is it a mansion on a hill? ... how about a guardian angel, or a spiritual experience? ... your own jet airplane? ... peace and quiet? ... possessions? ... power? ... loving yourself? ...having a purpose in life?

Happiness is different things to different people. What it is to you is what ever it takes to make YOU happy.

Synonyms: contentment, pleasure, contentedness, satisfaction, cheerfulness, cheeriness, merriment, merriness, gaiety, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, joviality, jollity, jolliness, glee, blitheness, carefreeness, gladness, delight, good spirits, high spirits, light-heartedness, good cheer, well-being, enjoyment, felicity.

But wait! ...I'm just getting started! ...

Why is happiness such a simple thing yet, at times, seemingly so illusive and hard for us to find, and obtain, on a consistent basis?

Life enters the picture.

Ever have something happen to dampen your enthusiasm and someone say ..."Well, that's life" or ..."Life Happens"?

Yes, it is and yes, it does. We wish we could control every day events in our life ...but guess what? ...we can't.

But does that mean that we can not still be happy? Well yes, to some extent, at least temporarily, we will be sad, mad, agitated, irritable, angry or any of a hundred other feelings about it.

We will find it hard to maintain a "happiness" state of mind at all times, no matter how good things may be going for us.

What is it that will make us truly happy? ... or do we even know?

Is happiness really fleeting... there one minute and gone the next?

Happiness is triggered in each of us in some similar, yet many different ways.

For some, it doesn't take much to make us happy ...but for others it takes a whole lot to stimulate our "enjoyment" and/or "smile" buttons.

For some of us, it is as easy as seeing a smiling baby, but for others the pendulum has swung as far over as to it being some strong personal scenes of BDSM to bring a temporary bout of happiness release, if you want to call it that.

Happiness is mostly a "state of mind" as you consider the way you view life. For example, take this proverb ...

"You can either complain that rose bushes have thorns or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses"

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

What about reality? Everyday can't be a happy day, right?

Of course not!

We all know that and have our "bad days", as we call them ...when nothing seems to go right, no matter how hard we try.

We feel hated, despised, ridiculed, ashamed, lonely, hurt, isolated, depressed, anxious and a whole host of other negative attributes that appear to haunt us.

But, do we find the answer to the question in yet another proverb? ...

"We have no right to ask, when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" ...unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way"

How can you gain true, lasting and permanent happiness?

For me helping others is the greatest way to help yourself and bring true and lasting happiness into your life.

Volunteer for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) or the Red Cross or your local Women and Children's Shelter, or any number of other good causes, if you really want to feel happiness and contentment for yourself, not to count what blessings and happiness you will bring into the lives of scores of others along the way.

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you" ~John Wooden, college basketball coach

If life's simple everyday positive events can make you happy, than you are on the road to true happiness ...it's called contentment.

It's simply being content with what you have and what good things God, or life, has given you, however few they may be, without the use of drugs or alcohol to try and get there.

No, that is not to say that you can not strive to reach higher goals in your life, but at the end of the day, know that you have done what you can to get where you want to go, and spread a little cheer and happiness to others along your journey!

Please listen to Mr Pharrell's "HAPPY" song and see in the video the displays of what seems to be the happiest people on earth, just enjoying everyday life for what ever it is. He even starts the song with these words ..."It might sound crazy what I'm bout to say" ...and then goes on to explain the simple joys of life that bring happiness to many people.

If you can do this, and enjoy life's simple pleasures, you can experience and know what happiness truly is! ...LISTEN :) ...

Wishing you the experience of REAL HAPPINESS every possible day of your life! ...I LOVE YOU!

[TarrAva]

There are as many happiness definitions as there people on the face of this earth.

For me happiness is a multifaceted term but that is a very fragile definition because the perception can change from one second to another.

I don't need riches to be happy. I beautiful flower, a nice piece of music, a sunset or any of the simple things in life make me happy.

However, those happy moments are interrupted so many times every day. I get very emotional when I see sad events, a child crying from pain or mostly a human interaction that is perceived negatively.

But again there are those unforgettable moments like that very one under

Have you ever been held like that? ↗

Those are moments where I feel that my heart is jumping out of my rib cage because I feel trusted by someone sufficiently enough to hold onto you for support.

Those kind of small, perhaps insignificant moments and gestures to others, are the ones that make me happy.

And when someone looks up to you for recognition and appreciative that you left a quarter or 2 in their hat on the street, then I am happy for having helped that individual to get perhaps his/her only hot meal of the day.

Yes, but the greatest happiness of them all is being healthy. No other happiness comes even close to that one.

[sugarchateau]

I enjoyed this! I feel that my mental state of happiness is at it's prime when I'm choosing to focus on giving my energy to faith, trust and love from my heart to myself- especially after the pain. I feel there is more power in the happiness that I choose to invite for myself- I don't feel I have the right understanding to know anyone enough to doom them with my limited understanding of what would be considered happiness for them- so I focus on giving to myself so that at least I am not bringing anyone down <3

[laurieluvsit]

You are definitely going in the right direction Ms SC!

NEVER GIVE UP!

... and thank you so much for taking the time to read this myTake and letting me know that you like it!

That means a lot :)

I agree with what you are saying!

[laurieluvsit]

@relluoon You have to follow me before I can message you. I have followed you so you can message me if you like :)

[sugarchateau]

@relluoon I'll leave my response here. I plan on legally adopting one. I also plan on giving birth to one with the love of my life. I feel that love, compassion and understanding can be shared with children of our mind and body- to be apart of us in more ways than one. I want to help as many children as I can in this world- I fear the population is an issue I am deeply concerned about mainly because of the lack of responsibility that people accept for themselves. I still believe that a child born out of love is a great blessing to share with a loved one too. I just don't feel it is necessary to birth more than 1 child when we have so many that need our help, guidance and love.

[laurieluvsit]

OMG! YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON!

You could not have put it better! And your idea of having one yourself and adopting another has sent chills of blessings throughout my entire being... what an incredible way to do it!

Also, that way, depending on the gender of the first child, you could select the gender of the second to provide the gender mix of your choice.

This is great from every possible stand point, including the rescue of an unwanted child or one born into turbulent, or toxic, circumstances.

YOU ARE MY HEROINE OF THE DAY! BLESS YOU!

[laurieluvsit]

@loplooooll No, thank you

[loplooooll]

Why so

[loveslongnails]

Happiness is a life lived with freedom, both physical freedom and freedom from fear, a sound mind and a healthy body. I said that. "Freedom from fear" encompasses most every evil you can think of;
prejudice, bigotry, ignorance, hatred, injustice, inequality, and so on. Those are really just fears manifesting in slightly different ways.
Also keeping in mind what author and poet Emma Lazarus, who was born into a wealthy Jewish family but faced oppressions of her own said,
“Until we are all free, we are none of us free. ” Very similar to Nelson Mandela's "No one is free while others are oppressed".

[laurieluvsit]

I agree totally and love Mandela's quote but not the actions of his wife.

[loveslongnails]

Yes, it's a very strange and sad story.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Maybe my opinion is a bit weird but I think that in the end, you build your own happiness.
You could have an amazing partner, riches and everything you could wish for, but in the end you decide if you are happy or not about it.

For me personally, happiness is valuing and find joy in the positive things you have and being serene towards your worries, be them current or future.

[laurieluvsit]

Yes, I agree, great reply!

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thank you!
Naturally, I do my best to live this way.

[kymberz]

wow. just wow. and yes i am listening and watching in 2 secs but i just had to say that happiness is a state of gratitude - a state of absolute, pure grace. when you can look at the world and all of your experiences of the past, present, and dream up the future - it is a state of gratitude for everything that has come your way. the hard part is learning how to gracefully accept it. thank you for this - i love this song and video and both put me in a very happy state. now i am listening and playing (woops just tripped over a cord. it's not easy being graceful but every day i try. i dance and sing my praises to the Lord. and he drops happiness on me like pixie dust!). thank you!

[kymberz]

i forgot how awesome this video is - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[laurieluvsit]

Again, you made my day as well and made me so HAPPY!! :)

[kymberz]

you could drop 10 million bucks on my head and it wouldn't make me feel any better than i do when you say i made you happy! it means the world! (but if you have an extra 10 million... like... i don't have any problem being really happy with 10 million bucks either - bahahahaha!

[laurieluvsit]

You are too funny... I so love your sense of humor! :)

[kymberz]

love it enough to drop the 10 million or not quite there yet? ok. i guess i will just have to wait - bahahahah! i love your sense of humour too!

[Kaazsz]

Ayn Rand has the best description of what happiness is that I have yet to read. Since reading her perspective on it I have been reading about other happiness perspectives and I haven’t seen any better than hers.

Unfortunately I can’t describe it. At least not accurately. Plus there’s so much ignorant BS about her out there demonizing her that even if I could describe it as she says, it wouldn’t matter, peoples frame of mind is already that she is evil.

But if you ask me, her philosophy of happiness is by far the best and when I read it and understand it I know it is the truth.

[Brutus977]

I don't seek happiness. I seek contentment. Being happy all of the time is unsustainable. Even if you're one of those happy, smiley people with an extra dopamine reservoir, when tragedy or bad adversity happens what's the very first thing to go? We actually aren't wired to be happy all of the time. Because of this kids and adults are unnecessarily and overly medicated for life. We go too far out of our way to avoid pain in the western world. Pain is that signal that tells us something may be wrong, but it also tells us we're not dead yet. Without pain and suffering, there is no contrast, no texture to life. There's also no growth.

[Mezius]

I will tell you right now, most people are confused about what happiness actually is. You can be rich and unhappy, successful and unhappy, in love and unhappy. As long as you search for happiness outside, it will elude you. Life is more or less something we react to, not something we control. We all dream of having our dream lives, and many are unhappy with their circumstances. Problems are seen as roadblocks to our path to happiness, and fall into two things: things we cannot change, and things we can. The things you can't change, you can only accept, the things you can, you can only pursue. Many people cannot find happiness even after achieving their dream lives, or constantly seek more. You can't continue to seek more and expect to be happy. This is like a dog chasing its tail. The truth is, happiness comes from accepting reality for what it is and being at peace with life. People confuse happiness with something to chase, when in reality, happiness is a choice.

[laurieluvsit]

Great take Mr Mezius! :)

[MrMister5]

Happiness is subjective so it's up to you what that is. Society as a whole usually through media subliminally influence others that through money and relationships are the only avenues to happiness. Which is why many probably aren't as happy as they let on. Cuz they didn't follow their on path or do things for their own reasons but due to peer pressure. Additionally is more about the journey then it is the goal itself which many seem to forget.

[colorfull]

yes what about health most important thing in life

[MrMister5]

@colorfull what about it?

[colorfull]

ok lol

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

Great Mytake!! Very valid points and issues we all need to remember sometimes. We can gather together in darkness. Or we can lift our voices as one and celebrate, rejoice in happiness.

[laurieluvsit]

Thank you!

I am so glad that you liked it and thank you so much for your time to read it! :)

[colorfull]

i can give you the definition happiness sad to say this caring no one nothing just caring yourself loving yourself and feel independent have your money and being numb cuz i think all the pp in life actually wasting you wasting your time energy your feelings they give you happiness and take more than that give you grief mostly am happy to be alone i wish i never changed it

[ryryryan]

Happiness is doing what you want to do, without anticipation, expectation, or inhibition. We experience unhappiness because we desire something else than the current situation. Happiness is the doing what you want in the current situation minus expectations, future desires.

[wittymilf]

Happiness is when who you believe yourself to be and who you behave as are in alignment.

[laurieluvsit]

So true!

[COMMODOREII]

I am happy to just be your friend and for you to even say hi to me at times. Lol i have a lot of respect for you. You are an angel my friend. 😄💓🌹 love you Laurie!!

[laurieluvsit]

Thank you Mr C... you make me happy :)

[COMMODOREII]

What are friends for? 😎

[genericname85]

happiness is a perspective. a decision to look at things a certain way. that's all there is to it. some people think happyness is drowing ones brain in serotonine and dopamine but that's not how it works.

[melekarduc]

100% agreed it’s all about the perspective!

[genericname85]

@melekarduc also in order to ever feel happy, you regularly need to be sad or angry. cause for the longer we are happy the more used we get to it and the more stale it gets. you become more happy by embracing sadness fear and anger as well. one should really embrace the whole range of emotions.

[melekarduc]

you’re very intelligent, I like way you look at things. And this point if yours made clear sense

[genericname85]

@melekarduc i'm not intelligent :D that's just the 20 years i've been around longer than you ;) but thanks anyway ^^

[Tommytee1948]

Happiness is different for all of us. For some it's a positive relationship, others it might be money, the list can go on forever. For myself Happyness is been alive and surrounding myself with good solid friends.

[Therisinghero12]

Thing about happiness is that no matter how far we swing towards sad or happy we will eventually stabilize back to a neutral standing.
But being content, it can last a whole lot longer, a lifetime in fact, and it makes it a whole lot easier to become happy.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Thank God it's not difficult for me to find happiness since it's so easy to please me. Plus, I refuse to let sadness or anger win over me.

[shubhamchachapara]

The time when i am with a girl on bed, i hug her, kiss her from too close. I can cry like a baby for my pains at that moment. I can be open about my choices with her and there is no judgements. That time i get happiness

[stilllanuagthtboy]

Don't believe it's any of the above ivory happiness is a state of mind

[rinx91]

I think the real happiness is when we can be grateful for what we already have...

[RachelThorpe]

The reason for everyone's happiness is different. No one can judge and decide anyone's happiness.

[ricorico]

Need keep the teams

[Gedaria]

Help people. Happy that you have tried to make peoples life that bit better. Thats when makes me happy...

[BrokenEmpathy]

A lot of people have their own idea of what happiness is, so I don't agree there's one universal, real concept for it.

There's no need to validate your own notion by putting it above others, if that's your intention.

[laurieluvsit]

Yes, you are right again Mr BE!

That's why the very first paragraph listed 15-20 different things that might bring someone happiness. Later I listed what it was "For me..."

... and yes "For me..." I do put that above all others. I'm not sure though how you came to the conclusion that I was insisting that it must be the same "For you", as nothing could be further from the truth, just simply some ideas and suggestions.

Sorry it offended you :( , as that is certainly not a good way to help someone be happy :)

[BrokenEmpathy]

It didn't offend me, but you give a vibe as if you assumed you had found a final, global truth about happiness that explains everyone's take on it.

[laurieluvsit]

Yes, I understand what you are saying. I'm just not sure where the word "everyone's" comes from. I clearly stated "For me..."

I guess that just illustrates how easily misunderstandings can put a wrinkle in an otherwise "happy" day :)