Happiness is a very complex emotion that is multifaceted. It means different things to different people, with diverse cultural and ethnic significance. It's been the subject of writing by many an intellect and philosopher.
Happiness can be described as joy, cheerfulness, contentment, enlightenment, and satisfaction. As easy as it is to describe, achieving true happiness in our lives is not that simple. Many factors impact our ability to do so.
Philosophical Views
Democritus was known as the "laughing philosopher," and for good reason. He emphasized the value of "cheerfulness".- Plato believed in the concept of "happiness" or "flourishing". He believed happiness was achieved through reaching one's full potential and ultimately reaching fulfillment.
- Cynics believed a happy life was reached through freedom and liberty.
- Aristotle, a student of Plato for 20 years, believed happiness was the ultimate goal in life and that it meant choosing the "greater good".
Psychological Views
- Hedonic happiness emphasizes the importance of experiencing pleasure and avoiding discomfort.
- Eudaimonic happiness can be defined as achieving happiness through finding meaning and purpose in life.
- Positive Psychology emphasizes happiness and well-being through five key elements including accomplishment, meaning, engagement, relationships and positive emotion.
Religion
- Happiness can be achieved in having faith and believing in something greater than yourself.
- The belief in a God and that a plan exists for you and your life can be one of the greatest sources of contentment.
- The act of prayer and meditation can ease feelings of loneliness and can make an individual feel better having done so, hence leading to happiness.
- Living a good life and following the 10 commandments listed in the Old Testament of the Bible, for example, is another way in which religion leads to greater fulfillment in life.
- Most world religions have a multitude of teachings with similar benefits, not to focus only on Christianity.
Cultural Views
- Western society, such as North America, associates happiness with success, wealth, and freedom.
- In Eastern society, happiness can sometimes be a more collective experience. In some cultures, it can be attributed to being at one with nature and creating an overall balance in your life.
Family
- Happiness can be having a loving family
- Having someone, or a partner in your life, can lead to contentment. It can be a spouse or a close friend, depending on what stage of your life you are at.
- Having children can be the greatest source of happiness in your life. It helps you be less selfish. Your kids become your greatest accomplishment and more important than anything else in your life.
Religion
- Happiness can be achieved in having faith and believing in something greater than yourself.
- The belief in a God and that a plan exists for you and your life can be one of the greatest sources of contentment.
- The act of prayer and meditation can ease feelings of loneliness and can make an individual feel better having done so, hence leading to happiness.
- Living a good life and following the 10 commandments listed in the Old Testament of the Bible, for example, is another way in which religion leads to greater fulfillment in life.
- Most world religions have a multitude of teachings with similar benefits, not to focus only on Christianity.
Cultural Views
- Western society, such as North America, associates happiness with success, wealth, and freedom.
- In Eastern society, happiness can sometimes be a more collective experience. In some cultures, it can be attributed to being at one with nature and creating an overall balance in your life.
Family
- Happiness can be having a loving family
- Having someone, or a partner in your life, can lead to contentment. It can be a spouse or a close friend, depending on what stage of your life you are at.
- Having children can be the greatest source of happiness in your life. It helps you be less selfish. Your kids become your greatest accomplishment and more important than anything else in your life.
Happiness is whatever we make it. It can be as simple or as complex as you want. It can feel like the world's best-kept secret at times, or your worst enemy, in being as elusive as a needle in a haystack. Once you find it, you have to latch on to it and never let go. It adds purpose and fulfillment to your life and makes every day worthwhile. It's the secret to a long, healthy life. It's your best friend in every moment and attributes to an appreciation for what you have and how fortunate you are, even when you just can't see it.
"May happiness and contentment follow you all the days of your life."
Happiness is whatever we make it. It can be as simple or as complex as you want. It can feel like the world's best-kept secret at times, or your worst enemy, in being as elusive as a needle in a haystack. Once you find it, you have to latch on to it and never let go. It adds purpose and fulfillment to your life and makes every day worthwhile. It's the secret to a long, healthy life. It's your best friend in every moment and attributes to an appreciation for what you have and how fortunate you are, even when you just can't see it.
"May happiness and contentment follow you all the days of your life."
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