16 replies to this topic

[Lena]

What is happiness?

I'm having a deep and meaningful conversation with a good friend. Naturally, its 1 am in the morning and the discussion is fuelled by overtiredness and tea. :D

We are talking about happiness. My question to you, my dear users, is this:

What is your personal definition of happiness?

Take care,

Lena.

[munchkinprince]

Happiness is... being with family, fun during teatime and singing a song?

Charlie Brown is happiness...

I don't think you can define it. If you do, then it's no longer happiness.

[Toast960]

Happiness to me is being with the woman I love. Talking with her, being with her, and making her laugh. The thing that turns me on about my fiance is her smile and laugh. Just knowing I can brighten her day whenever by making her laugh/smile makes me feel like the most important person in the world :)

[Fishhead]

Aww that's so cute. :) (is a sap)

It's a bit hard to define though. I suppose I am most happy when I am around the people I love, whether it be friends or family. Particularly when I am with small children or having conversations with those who are open and receptive to what I have to say.

I don't really think that's a good definition, but it's the best I can come up with as it is late and I am quite tired.

[Lena]

Toast960;491911 said:

Happiness to me is being with the woman I love. Talking with her, being with her, and making her laugh. The thing that turns me on about my fiance is her smile and laugh. Just knowing I can brighten her day whenever by making her laugh/smile makes me feel like the most important person in the world :)

Aww. Sweetheart. *Melts* Thank you. :D

(Yes people, I am the soon to be Mrs Toast).:rolleyes:

[munchkinprince]

hehe, that makes Lena "like buttah"

[Lena]

LMAO. Yes.... there are many toast jokes. I like toast. :D

[The Mutant Pixie]

Happiness is a contentment with ones current position, whatever that may be, and a willingness to remain contant in that position.

ie. "I am happy in your arms and could stay here forever" to give a rather literal example of 'position'

Just my musings.
Magpie

(Heehee Mistie became Miss Tea and will soon become Mrs T! :p)

[Barbies are Evil]

Happiness is the warm feeling in your belly whenever you feel comfortable.

[my_purple_sky]

I think that The_Mutant_Pixie defined it well
but I would tend to reason towards being content with yourslef, not your position.
well.. position aswell
but you can't just be happy with your posi-........
wait a minute...

yeah... Mutant Pixie is right.. lol.. position

[Lena]

Hmm. Now to answer my own Q:

Happiness, to me, can be defined as more than one thing....

It is to love and be loved. It is also to be with the one you love.
(Special mention goes to Dan (Toast) at this point. Nobody makes me happier than you do, Dan).

It is to be content in a happy, satisfied, fulfilled way.

It is to be content being yourself. I suppose I mean that it is to have high/good self esteem. I don't think you can ever be fully happy until you are happy with who you are as a person.

L

[The Mutant Pixie]

So to be happy is to be content to stop bettering yourself?

Magpie

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Everyone!! :)

Happiness. Oh yeah - I remember that!! lol :p

To ME - 'happiness' is when I witness an act of kindness. It gives me hope and helps reaffirm my belief that there are people in this world who really do care. There is a 91 year old man who lives in my apartment building. He is a genuinely kind man. When he answers the phone he does just say 'hi' - he says [In a big booming voice] "Hello!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!! What can I do for you!!" LOL I love that!! It makes me happy.

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!! :)

[Lena]

Aww, Craig, I like that. :)

I do have a question though. Is that your only definition of happiness, or are there more?

The reason I ask is: To me, if my happiness was based solely on something that other people do, it would be very limiting to my chances of being happy.

Quote

So to be happy is to be content to stop bettering yourself?

Magpie

Nope. That would be apathetic.

You can be content with what you have whilst also aiming for higher goals or seeking to better what you have.

I'm always wanting to strive for better (I'm a perfectionist, you know that). However I'm also content that I've done my best and achieved everything I can at the present time.

You can't be happy if you're always striving for something you can't achieve....

[The Mutant Pixie]

Contentness and "striving" are mutualy exclusive things are they not?

Also, is this a debate on "what makes you happy?" or "what does happiness feel like?" or something else entirely?

M

Ps... new phone answering method logged and loaded!

[Lena]

Hmm, I'm not sure that they are mutually exclusive. I think you can strive for something and be content at the same time. At least.... I can. :D Maybe it depends what it is.

To answer your Q....
I started this wanting to know what other peoples personal definitions of happiness are.
I suppose its a debate on both what makes you happy and what it feels like.
- What is happiness, to you?

[CanadaCraig]

Quote

Aww, Craig, I like that. :)

I do have a question though. Is that your only definition of happiness, or are there more?

The reason I ask is: To me, if my happiness was based solely on something that other people do, it would be very limiting to my chances of being happy.

Hi Lena!! :)

I hope you're OK.

It may SEEM like I'm ignoring your question but really - I'm still thinking of an answer. I'm not really sure what makes me happy. [Beyond the example I gave you] I suppose - because it was always other people who made me feel so sad - it will be other people who make me feel happy. But like you said [And this is the part I'm trying to get a handle on] that seems very limiting.

Hmm...

I'm going to have to keep thinking about this.

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!! :)