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013 – What is Happiness

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 What is happiness to you?

I feel like Happiness is this thing that everyone wants or is working toward, and yet it remains elusive to some. Why?

I recently came upon a quote that seems to encapsulate the definition and the solution.  After all, happiness can be both simple and elusive. 

I was reading in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey where he says that happiness can be defined as “the object and design of our existence.” That Is to say, we all want it and are “content” when we get it.  By definition this is so. Then he said this: “Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.

You see. This is both a definition and a formula.  Happiness is getting what you want.  And getting it is doing the things you need to do to obtain it.  It’s the results of work and sacrifice.  

Temporary happiness, a state of mind, is free. Just ‘think of a wonderful thought’ like Peter Pan directed Wendy.  Or just ‘think of your favorite things’ in life as Frouline Maria admonishes the Van Trap children when they are scared or sad in Sound of Music, then you won’t feel so bad. But this temporary happiness fades when the focused thoughts fade. Although this temporary relief can be helpful, it is not enduring. 

Enduring happiness is a state of being.  It comes from applying the principles of happiness as Dr Covey suggests.  The fruits of temporary self denial, sacrifice, and work. Putting the effort in over time and enduring the trial to achieve, progress toward, or obtain the desires of your heart. 

Happiness is progressing toward what you want our what you feel drawn to naturally.