"Happiness" what is your definition?

In the deepest sense of the word: Contented happiness

What makes you happy?

Would you say that you are happy?

If you are not happy what do you feel it would take to make you happy?

Happy in a general contentment with life "happy" or just being happy in the current moment?

I think there are different levels of happiness. Small things can make me immediately happy... a good book/movie/song, a great cup of coffee, talking to a friend, etc... but happy about everything? Meh... I can't think of many times where I've just felt an all-around happiness about my life-- however, I'm a pessimist. 

Sorry ali I had actually put "contented" in but for some reason took it back out. Yes I am talking about contented happiness.

popped it back in :)

I think what makes me happy is not worrying whether I'm happy or not.... Living in the moment & enjoying what I'm doing now rather than wondering if things could be better.  Not making comparisons with other people's happiness.  I don't feel that we're entitled to a particular level of contentment or that someone else should provide it.   I don't even think that unhappiness is necessarily a bad thing.  In fact, I think one of the worst four word phrases ever written down in the English language was 'the pursuit of happiness'..... individual gratification is open to a lot of interpretation is often gained at too high a price.

For me I found contentment within myself a few years ago and I would now say that yes I am happy.

There are some uncertainties which have arisen in my life lately which are causing me to feel a little unsettled, but I would still say that I am happy.

I was just curious about what other people view as being happy, is there a combination of things that when put together make them happy.

If they would say that they are not happy then what do they feel would have to happen to change that.

Happiness has such a wide range which I think can be explored :)

To love and be loved.

Yes, I am happy. 

Considering I just got off of work and this is the first I've eaten since 1 AM, happiness is this honeydew melon, and I'm pretty damned ecstatic right now.

Enjoying the simple circumstances of NOW - even difficult circumstances because at the lofty age of 53 :) ! - one of the things I've learned is that there is so much I learn "to the good" even and maybe especiallin in the most difficult circumstances...and all of that "stuff" adds up to wondering what is to be learned from the tough stuff and being content with the simple things of "now" and somewhat delerious when circumstances and very good.

What makes me happy - the little things...a walk with my dog, the look of sunlight through the trees, blue sky, a good and healthy meal or snack, a cup of tea on my front porch, sitting with a friend...

I am happy and also content, notwithstanding that I also have dreams and a vision of things I'd like to do and ways I'd like to improve.

For me, the key is to appreciate what I have right now while also keeping dreams and hopes alive.

1) Cookies.

2) Yes.  I have cookies.

3) Bake more cookies.

i agree with every one who talked about the little things and finding something in the moment to make me smile.  i'm lucky that i can find genuine joy in feeling the sun on my face, seeing others succeed, and watching a child or an animal play. 

the love of family and friends.

having something to look forward to (this is crucial for me.  i can't let myself stagnate).

happiness to  me is feeling good in myself, enjoying things with family an friends, seeing the sun rise in the mornings on my early walks, enjoyin the simple things of life, enjoyin the now an the moment, having somethin to look forard to definetly, feeling like im really recoverin from anorexia an knowin someday i WILL be better an FULLY recoverd an healthy, realisin that ive got a lot in life an that im very lucky!

Being with and around people I care for and love. Knowing that those I care for are happy themselves. As for little things that make me happy though there are too many to list here. Suffice to say that with a positive outlook it's really easy and fun to be happy all the time.

Oh yeah, I'm happy. Things are fantastic. Life is great and it is what I make of it.

       Whe n I put my kids to bed at night and I can go to sleep knowing they are fed, healthy, and safe. This is happiness. Also laying on my husbands shoulder at night listening to his heart beat and just the smeel of him ahhhh. Twelve years I am not tired of it.

Hahaha... cookies.

Happiness is Pgeorgian standing on a beach in the caribeean drinking a blue fruity alcoholic drink with a mini umbrella in a two piece bikini smiling at me and crooning This song.

youtube to pgeorgian: "This video is not available in your country."

Happiness is a warm gun.

Happiness for me has become very simple. It's my dog curled behind my knees at night, my sons' love. For me it's gratitude.

Happiness is loving others and being loved.

(And kathygator's dog sounds pretty nice, too!)

Original Post by andie-joe:

In the deepest sense of the word: Contented happiness

What makes you happy?

Would you say that you are happy?

If you are not happy what do you feel it would take to make you happy?

 

 

1. Pleasure. Reward. Satisfaction.  Realization.
2. No.  However I think it's difficult to be happy during the middle portion of a lifetime.  And also, I think there is a gray area between "happy" and "unhappy"...not being one does not necessarily mean you are the other.
3. Time.  Money.  Health.  Those you care about being "happy".