What is Happiness?

Happiness does not lie in the objects of enjoyment because happiness is a state of mind. Happiness is a pleasant emotion made out of contentment, love, joy, inner peace and fulfillment. Many people tried to define happiness throughout history. Philosophers and religious thinkers often describe happiness in terms of living a good life or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion (for more definitions of happiness you can have a look at my selection of happiness quotes). On the other hand, positive psychology defines happiness as consisting of positive emotions and positive activities. Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology says happiness disolves into positive emotions, engagement and meaning.

Happiness is a choice you have to make. Happiness is a state of being only you can create as you manufacture your own happiness every single moment. That's because happiness is not pleasure although it can appear similar. Happiness has an internal source while pleasure has an external source. Happiness is a belief born inside your mind. As Abraham Lincoln said, most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Happiness is the natural state of the mind. Every human that has ever existed has had happiness as their ultimate goal in life. Happiness does not always appear to be an obvious goal because of the intermediate goals we believe are necessary to achieve happiness. But happiness is what is left when you get rid of all the uncomfortable emotions.

Happiness is not the satisfaction of whatever irrational wishes you might blindly attempt to enjoy. Happiness is not simply the absence of sadness or pain either. Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy - a joy without penalty or guilt... Happiness is possible only to a rational being... Happiness is a long lasting enjoyment of life, it is being in love with living.

What is your definition of happiness?

Source: http://happinessaddicted.blogspot.mx/