I started feeling happiness when I stopped looking for it in other people and discovered that it lived inside me all along. The secret is to focus on what you do have rather than dwell on what you don't.

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

I do know some people that are happy. But I think they are mentally ill, or delisional. JUST KIDDING. I have read many a book about this, haven't actually found the answer. But I am starting to realize it is just when you let go, when you realize that in life there are no warrenties, no quarentees, that you have no real control over what might happen tomorrow. People die, tornadoes happen, people leave you, you need to find that resolve inside that only you can change what you do with these events. When you can truely just wake up each morning and realize that you are the one who mentally can decide. Well that was not worth 2 cents, but maybe a penny.

According to CHarles Schultz, its a warm puppy. I have a tendency to agree. Dogs always make me smile.

This is an interesting topic. I have a friend who has gone through more in this life than most people; including myself and if you read my profile, it's not been a picnic.

If you didn't know her past, you would think that she was the happinest person on earth. So part of it may be self-fulfilling prophecy.

You may be thinking, yeah, but what about the others with no problems.... hmmmmm... don't think I know anyone like that.

So for me, it comes down to "what would make me happy." Happiness for me is - life in balance - finances covered, children secure, relationships good, etc. Every day, I look for ways to get the life into balance.

There's an old Chinese proverb:
"Happiness is a thatched roof"

Happiness is a red balloon.-Winnie the Pooh.

There is no Way to Happiness?

Happiness Is the way

It's activation of your left pre-frontal cortex. Mostly of serotogenic mediated neurons. If you get a stroke on the right prefrontal cortex, then you'll be a happy camper for the rest of your life. If you get a stroke on the left prefrontal cortex... well, you're screwed.

Although I suspect you were looking for a more humanistic answer. lol

*LOL*----New, that was great! :-)

WOW, some great ideas on happiness. It is thought provoking, thanks

I think happiness comes when you control what you can control in yourself, let go of what you can't control, give to others with out looking for a return on the favor, when you are happy with who you are, and see the best in others (even the x), when you look to encourage instead of complain, look to reconcile when you can and move on when you can't.

Although the butterfly thing works too..

Actually Lyn, you are not far off. There is an entire research field within the positive psychology area that links happiness to what they call "delusional optimism". That is, to be happy, we must be at least a little delusional in our view of the world. Their experiments are actually very interesting, and they consistently find that depressed people are not more 'negative' about their view of the world, they are actually more 'accurate'. So, let's all be delusional together. I Knew Baileys on the rocks was good for something!

Dang so much for having a dose of reality then.

I'll have to kill some brain cells for that one.

Here's to being delusional ((clinking of glasses))

Yeah I am delusional and it is a good thing. LOL

I am agreeing with buwbd. "The secret is to focus on what you do have rather than dwell on what you don't."

If you wait until you are secure, warm and have what you want-you will Never be Happy. Conditions are Never going to make for contentment.

"Things" can be taken away at a moments notice. Then where is your happiness? Worrying about them being taken away is the stuff anxiety attacks are made of.

I like the "stuff" that is mine. But, I would let it all go to blazes in exchange for my Dogs...they are Real. They make me laugh.

Happiness comes from Inside. It is an emotion that is Chosen. It takes Practice. It needs to be passed along to grow.