Saturday, January 9, 2016

What does happiness mean for me?


I read some of the happiness posts from other bloggers and saw a variety of answers for what might seem like a simple question. What is happiness? According to WordNet, happiness is a “state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.” That’s the best one I found online that reflects my own perception of happiness.


 To me, happiness is an overall feeling of consistent contentment and pleasure in being alive, despite day-to-day situations, opportunities, and getting past obstacles.
It’s staying off of the roller coaster that equates happiness with getting something you want–a possession, romantic partner, raise at work, etc. Material gains and accomplishments make you feel good for the moment and send you up on the roller coaster in exhilaration. If you lose or don’t get them, happiness takes a nosedive with your disappointment, and your ride goes down.

 Real happiness keeps you on a more level path and allows you to bounce back from those ouch moments of losing or not receiving what you wanted or hoped for.

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