What is Happiness?

[koreasamurai]

im pretty sure that this isnt a double but if it is, feel free to delete

with that disclaimer, i ask what is happiness? Every single person in the world has asked that question to themselves wondering am i happy, am i unhappy? Some great minds such as aristotle and Plato questioned this like everyone else?

What is ur opinion of true happiness?

[Silhouette]

It depends on the person. One person could be happy with killing others... another, drinking until they forget their name.

To me, true happiness? Peace, quiet, and solitude. Doing what I want to without anyone bothering me about it and the like.

[Lucki]

happiness is when you feel content, and have a warm fuzzy feeling inside :D when you can smiles without faking it.

according to the dictionary it is:
# state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
# emotions experienced when in a state of well-being
Happiness, pleasure or joy is the emotional state of being happy. The definition of happiness is one of the greatest philosophical quandaries. Proposed definitions include freedom from want and distress, consciousness of the good order of things, assurance of one's place in the universe or society, inner peace, and so forth.

it varies from person to person. but presumably when you die you are meant to feel a release and bliss,pure happiness, according to a few beliefs.

[Vampyrelord]

VERY little debating has occurred since this thread was started, but there's been a lot of spam.

/moved

[db]

True happiness; depends really. Probably achieving your lifetime goal/dream is one :P.

[Decado]

Even then.. ppl still don't feel "happy" for some reason.

I recently read one of the theories of a prominent psychologist. Focus on things you HAVE rather than focusing on what you don't.

Admittedly, hard to put into practice tho.


Contentment = happiness?

[Twinky]

that was my SAT essay topic question......all i said was happieness is when our brain release dopamine a chemical that makes us feel happy. LOL jk i dont remember what it was

[diamondedge]

[QUOTE=Lucki]happiness is when you feel content, and have a warm fuzzy feeling inside :D when you can smiles without faking it.
/QUOTE]

Personally, I think being happy is different from being content. perhaps being happy is being content for long period of time.

I agree on the second part though. ;)

Definition and meaning of "happiness" varies from person to person. Things that make me happy can be completely different from the things that make person sitting next to me happy. For example, I am happy when I can help others and make people feel that i care. Someone else might not give a f-word about that, but he is happy if he achieves something for himself. But one thing is for sure, happiness is hidden within small things and actions. In my opinion, happiness can not involve something material. Sure, you say "I was So happy when I got that ", but in fact I'd call that an excitement. Happiness can not be bought (for everything else there is MaterCard. :P). perhaps one's happiness can be expressed through another one's happiness. Seeing someone you care about deeply makes you happy, so you can also be happy through someone else's happiness. Seriously, list go on and there is NO clear definition of happiness.

Happiness is the state when you feel content and desire nothing more and nothing less for yourself, that is how I feel it. The ways i do that changed a lot since i grow up, and TRUE happiness is something i have yet to experience.

[boredomlover93]

happiness is when you dont think about all the other sad thoughts and just focus on whatevers giving you that good feeling.

[Hathore]

happiness is when you after a long drive and you dont want to do it anymore you get in the car and drive feeling happy

[Youko Makuyo]

I can give you an example

OMG YAY I FINALLY GOT *INSERT ITEN HERE* YEAHHHHH WHOO IM SO HAPPY WOW I LOVE YOU *INSERT PARENT*

[Hathore]

lol that only happens with a car

[Youko Makuyo]

It happened when I got my bike....When I was 14

[Evanesque]

Happiness means different from person to person...

In general it's something that makes an individual content and satisfied and gives him/her an optimistic approach to life.

[Mikado]

When you feel you don't need anything anymore.

[Pyramus]

Happiness is to the person in question. Someone might be happy with green peaceful fields. Another might be happy when hes killing someone! For me, im happy when people agree with me, cuase im shallow!

[Hathore]

happiness is when you smell the new car smell after working for months to finally get it

[Polygon]

Happiness is an emotion, not a state of mind.

[Hathore]

oh but it is

[chaosadept]

Hmm, we could watch it from a very philosophical and clinical point of view, but let us just keep the human, physical and emotional point of view of it. Hence, it varies from people to people.

I personnally think happiness is a state of mind and also an emotion that's very difficult to achieve, at least for true happiness (where "normal happiness" would be just another word for "contentement/excitement"). Happiness is something you feel when you only think about the present moment, nothing else. You don't have regrets for the past, you don't need hope for the future, only this moment cares. It's something you achieve when you are satisfied, content with your actions, with what you have, and that nothing can stop you, like you're the king of your world. When everything feels perfect, when you don't give a damn thing about what could happen because right now you just feel the most fantastic emotion someone can have. It isn't material, and is composed by very little things like diamondedge said above.
I think that when you are deeply in love, happiness isn't far away to achieve, at least at the beginning for most cases.

Now, if that's TRUE happiness, that I don't know, I felt like that a lot already and I don't know if I could feel somethin' better than that. :) If this is THE thing, then I think you can't STAY happy since life always gets back to you and pulls your feet back on Earth, with less nice things.

[Sono i Lupi]

happiness is whatever your want it to be
whethers its a emotion a state of mind
a cheesburger, self englightenment
a new car or bike, winning at something
being succesful in life, finding that special someone
anything that makes u feel happy, and u cant explain an feeling
u know when ur happy and when ur not
its a state of being almost
a slight nirvana, natural high
now most ppl think u can be happy for life but you cant
to enjoy happiness u must have first felt defeat and despair
if you didnt how would u know what u did or what happened is better or would make u feel better
its a break from normality for the better

this thread is pointless, trying to explain hapiness is impossible
wed be here our entire lives and still not be able to explain it
b/c its something found or given, not something for textbooks and explanations

[Polygon]

I think there's another word for what you guys are using happiness for, but I can't remember. I'll just go with happiness for now.

so happiness is being content with you life and accomplishments. Being content with the people you're with.

[Tobi]

Honestly, I think love is the biggest happiness anyone can ever have, knowing that you love someone and that that person loves you back is the most strong feeling anyone can ever have. But that can also turn against you.

[Hannah]

counter part of sadness

[Striker-tai]

Happiness would best be described as feeling like you've acomplished something impotant (content can also be described that way). Really it's a question that dosen't really have a defined answer it's all down to the individual.

[Hathore]

happiness is nuttin but a void in ur heart that is filled

[_mike_]

happiness is achieved once someone is content with all that they have....imo

[.Rik-uh-shey]

hap-pe-ness:
-noun
1. the quality or state of being happy.
2. good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

[Artemis]

happiness.

what is true happiness? True happiness is when one feels total love with their love and their current position within their life. Whether that is because they've found the love of their life, or they have won 8 million dollars and that's all they need. It doesn't matter.

Objects can construct foundations of true happiness. Even money. But remember that although money can make true happiness, it isn't always the case and even more so, when will it stop making you happy?

Happiness is about the present even though the past and future can play a major part, the present status of happiness is what true happiness is all about. You may fell true happiness because of someone in your life, whereas in one week they might have left you and now you scorn them now, and forever.

True happiness.
Whether it is due to love, hate, money, power, hope, destruction, possessions or for whatever reason. True happiness can come from any place or source.

So in the end, which source of happiness will you choose to gain from?
Recommendations:
love, hope and simplicity.

[Yamamoto]

It is basically what keeps your soul satisfied

When you love life the most and are thankful, to the extreme, of your existence, or the existence of those around you that make your life worth living

Yes it varies, but true happiness is something precious and intangible..

happines you get from finally getting that ps2 you wanted, however, is a different thing, as it is only temporary..

[Lex]

Happiness is true friendship.

[SoundWave]

wouldn't true hapiness be to never be sad again?
(then again some ppl prolly feel good when they're sad and ppl are pitiying them, I sure don't)

Sure you feel good from time to time, but it's nothing that lasts... I wouldn't call that hapiness.. I guess hapiness would be something that can bring your smile(a true smile, mind you) back when you're in your lowest low.. I know that you can be happy for other ppl's success, some ppl likes to think they have no selfish nature. I could never understand that.. Sure you get a good feeling when someone achieves their goals.. But that could never fill your soul with content and joy.. It's still a feeling that only lasts a short while.. I do believe we humans are egoistical creatures.. It's all about our own wellbeing.. I think we all need to be appreciated and taken care of when we're down.. The feeling that someone needs you..

For what purpose is there else to live if you're not needed?

[koreasamurai]

so theres bout at least 10 different answers here. and who ever said counter part of sadness whats sadness then?

[Kuroi Getsuga Tenshou]

:sad im pretty sure that this isnt a double but if it is, feel free to delete

with that disclaimer, i ask what is happiness? Every single person in the world has asked that question to themselves wondering am i happy, am i unhappy? Some great minds such as aristotle and Plato questioned this like everyone else?

What is ur opinion of true happiness?
Ur Lost aren't you.......My advice is do some Deep Inner Soul Searchin'!

[Hathore]

happiness is opening that fresh bag of cookies and finding a prize inside

[Ichi-Zoro 3]

happiness:sex

[Kenta]

when you have a stable income, and your own family. also friends that will be there when you need them. emotional happiness trumps materialism.

[Hathore]

waking up on christmas and seeing everythin you wanted

[SoulReaper109]

My happiness is in ice cream and animals

[Jay3205]

Happiness = stimulation of the dopamine receptors in your brain.

[飛雲]

Happy is the total satisfactory of who you are and where you are.

[Guy]

I don't know how to answer this one. I don't actually believe in true happiness, as no matter how good something is, a person's satisfaction will gradually decline over time. Happiness is pointless anyways, since we all die in the end.

But since we're alive... might as well enjoy some of it.

[Konpachi]

Happiness is being together with the person you care the most

[yushin]

when you eat ice cream...

that is happiness!

[mangaman16]

happiness is just enjoying life or when someone makes you feel good to be alive.

[Neko Kyo]

happyness is the something you feel deep inside your heart. it's a good feeling. when you feel worthwhile. it's brief, and easily to spread, but just as easily to take away. It usually appears in a instant, not gradually.

[shaberry]

Happiness is the feeling triggered by the release of endorphins in the brain.

[yushin]

happiness is while your having a tea in paris or france

[phantommaggot]

happiness is situational and personal
some people can be happy with the smallest thing, others need alot of stuff, others need something emotional.

for me, i was always depressed but i kept a good happy front for the family and friends. then i met this girl, and no matter how bad my day was, or anything else like that. her hugs always made it all better. noting makes me happier than being next to her.
we were together for 2 years, and she just ran out.. got scared of the commitment and couldnt handle it.. now im more miserable than before. ..

[yushin]

some priceless moments are also called hapiness~

[elendil15900]

you can try to describe it with words, but you won't ever capture the "true essence" of the word. A similar thing could also be said about the word Love.

[Hakuoro]

Happiness is what you want it to be.

[yushin]

feeling good is happiness~

[Edgey]

Happiness is what you want it to be.
I agree, it's whatever you make it :)

[yushin]

having good friends is happiness!!

[Setsuna Ai]

I usually answer this with Renee descartes's philosiphy, "Cogito, Ergo Sum" (I think therefore I exist.) If I am happy with my current situation (whatever it may be), then I must indeed be happy.

[Mordax]

Happyness is an emotion, and although I beleive that emotion is the same one for all people, I have observed that the triggers for that emotion vary from person to person

Those triggers usualy seem to be a knowledge of something, weather it be the knowledge that you or someone you care about has acheived something, that you will probably do well in the future, or in some twisted cases the knowledge that people are suffering

The exception is happyness broght on simply by proximity to a specific person, but I suppose that could be considered the knowledge that that person is still alive

Personaly, I find my only trigger for happyness is the knowledge that other people are happy

[yushin]

happiness is what you feel after you beat a game

[DatLatina!]

Happiness is when you just got out of the shower,get dressed,and go out somewhere

[yushin]

happiness is.. when you look onto cakes

[opusx]

Reaching complete spiritual enlightenment, however, I guess that can bring sadness for everyone else that hasn't reached that level of spirituality. So I guess it is when there is total harmony inside and all around you.

[DatLatina!]

Happiness is when a guy askes you out depending on who it is

[Neko Ruki]

when nothing in the world could take away a specific enjoyment

[DatLatina!]

When one of the people you hate goes to a differnet school and never comes back.

[yushin]

hapiness is what you feel about me *blush*

[Sesu]

Thats a good question..I guess I would say when your completly content

[DatLatina!]

happiness is when a guy helps you out in difficult times

[yushin]

happiness is ... after you ate ke~ki

[GoddessofHate]

happiness to me is bein with the love of my life BRANDON!!! and being surrounded by people who love me and the ones that are always there no matter what...

[Christian Lub]

its the feeling you get when your really in love with sumone

[Toasty]

Happiness is a content feeling. It is knowing that things are okay or will be okay. It is a moment without stress or fear. It is doing what you want to do, even if that means doing nothing at all. For me, it is a relief. My body is relaxed. And I can do anything at all... if I wanted to.

[Avalon]

Happiness is a warm place to stick your... oh, wait. Uhm. Rukia?

[yushin]

happiness is when someone wonderful sits beside you.

[Agrias Oaks]

happiness is... what makes you feel warm inside.

[Momo]

Happiness -for me- is a feeling that makes your face have a smile >_> lol
and that makes your life happy? but srly, I would say that its something that keep us happy at any time.

[.multi]

Happiness is something I think that we already have. Happiness is acceptance of what you have and what you will try to accomplish. My teacher told me that everthing you do, you do it to achieve happiness. To me happiness is something that takes a lifetime to understand :P

[+KuSaKaBe+]

when you eat ice cream...
that is happiness!

And pocky, don't forgot the pocky sticks XD. But for me, happiness is knowing that I'm myself, not like some of those plastic and fake people in school that just fit in 'cause they're pretenders.

[yushin]

happiness is what you feel when you gain a new friend

[Kimochi]

happiness is undefine. uu can feel it but uu cannot say it.
for me a true happiness is when i see my family being happy..

[Kalashnikov]

HAPPINESS IS WHAT IM GOING THOUGH RIGHT NOW!!

IRAQ LIFTS THE ASIAN CUP AHAHAHAHAHA!!

We Won!!! YIPPIIKAYAY MOTHAFKAAA

[DatLatina!]

Happiness is when you have relief from troubles

[yushin]

happiness is teh feeling after you won in a contest~

[Blue]

Happiness varies from person to person. Some people might be happy murdering bunnies and others might find it helping those in need. Happiness is basically anything you want it to be. :\

[yushin]

happiness is the concentration of the 'something' particles that builds up inside your stomach after you ate ke~ki