Happiness is something everyone wants to have. You may be successful and have a lot of money, but without happiness it will be meaningless.
That’s why I’m excited with this month’s theme of Happiness. We will discuss this topic all month long and I’m sure we will learn a lot. But, before we move further, it’s a good idea to get deeper understanding of the word happiness itself. Understanding what happiness is will give us good ground upon which to build our discussions.
Let me start with an official definition. According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, here is the definition of happiness:
- a state of well-being and contentment
- a pleasurable or satisfying experience
This definition is a good starting point and we can dig deeper from it. The best way to do that is to consult some of the greatest minds in history. So I researched what these people say about happiness and found 10 essential definitions. Each of them has deep meaning. Take your time to absorb it.
Here they are:
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.
Ayn Rand
Happiness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think.
Wayne Dyer
Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation.
William H. Sheldon
Happiness is not a reward - it is a consequence.
Robert Ingersoll
Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.
George Sheehan
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
Aristotle
Happiness is not something you experience, it’s something you remember.
Oscar Levant
Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
Margaret Lee Runbeck
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.
Denis Waitley
All in all, I would say that happiness is a decision. Your happiness is your decision to make. All the quotes above require actions on our part and actions require decisions.
So what do you think?
What is happiness?
This article is part of July 2008 theme: Happiness
Comment by Info-web
10 7. July 2008, 4:55 am o'clock |
Well written thoughts on happiness, 10 definition of happiness are also good choice.
I think happiness is a secret motive of every human being, a motive which is subconscious, we aren’t ourselves aware of its existence. What ever we do, we want to do it right, be successful in it because it gives happiness to us.
We go to school, find a job, love and get married for fun and satisfaction which to give a sense of achievement and a reason to be happy.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
9 7. July 2008, 2:08 am o'clock |
Jade,
I agree, happiness comes from the daily life, not from the grand things.
Flora,
Interesting definition. Looks like it’s related to Luciano’s “the feeling of being in control”.
Comment by Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.
8 6. July 2008, 10:14 pm o'clock |
Happiness is knowing you have choices and making the best ones for yourself.
Comment by Jade
7 5. July 2008, 9:41 pm o'clock |
Happiness doesn’t come from grand things, but from the daily life. Happiness is the ultimate goal of life.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
6 4. July 2008, 12:40 pm o'clock |
ASU, Stuart, Anthony, and Luciano,
Thanks for your contributions!
Stuart,
Yes, I can see that in my life. For instance, being content is an important part of my happiness and being content is a form of accepting my circumstances.
Luciano,
That’s an interesting definition. As you said, it’s not commonsense. I’d like to dig it deeper so perhaps I should read the book.
Comment by Luciano Passuello
5 3. July 2008, 8:00 pm o'clock |
Hi Donald,
It may not be the most inspiring or romantic of definitions, but one that really stick with me is that happiness is the feeling of being in control.
Not a commonsense definition, I know, but since I first read it the (wonderful) book Stumbling on Happiness, the more I think about it, the more I see it’s true.
Comment by Anthony Mills
4 3. July 2008, 3:30 pm o'clock |
– the hunter-killer droid HK-47, Knights of the Old Republic II
Comment by Stuart Herbert
3 3. July 2008, 11:53 am o'clock |
Donald, I have to agree - happiness is a decision. Ultimately, I think it comes down to deciding whether or not you can accept your circumstances. Have you noticed how unhappy people always seem to be those people who are unwilling or unable to do accept what is happening right here and now?
Comment by ASU
2 3. July 2008, 11:24 am o'clock |
Happiness is life’s love.
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# 4. July 2008, 8:25 am o'clock |
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