Musing on happiness and how we define and experience it.
Happiness is something we all strive for. Once our basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter, and safety are met, the remaining human needs, as characterized by Maslow's Hierarchy, are all happiness related.
What is Happiness?
Defined as "a state of well being and contentment" (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition), happiness is subjective, we know it when we feel it and we know it when it's absent.
Other Happiness Definitions
Aristotle:
"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence," and "Happiness, whether consisting in pleasure or virtue, or both, is more often found with those who are highly cultivated in their minds and in their character, and have only a moderate share of external goods, than among those who possess external goods to a useless extent but are deficient in higher qualities."
Positive Psychologists Robert Biswas-Diener and Ben Dean (Positive Psychology Coaching, Wiley and Sons, 2007):
"Happiness is the experience of frequent, mildly pleasant emotions, the relative absence of unpleasant feelings, and a general feeling of satisfaction with one's life."
Kids: In a survey by AP and MTV of kids between ages 13 and 24, spending time with family was the top answer. A typical description comes from Stacy Rosales, 23, a recent college graduate, who calls it "just a general stress-free feeling where I'm not really worried about anything."
What Makes You Happy?
How do you define happiness? Do you have a favorite happiness saying or definition? What's your favorite way to cheer up when you're not happy? Share these in this discussion.
