Happiness

I’m not sure I know what happiness is. When I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced it.

I don’t mean that I am sad all the time. It’s just that I think happiness is a concept and not necessarily a reality.

I think I am more likely to be content. Or satisfied. Or fulfilled.

I can wrap my mind around those. But a good way to define happiness eludes me.

Then I looked online. Sometimes doing that is a good thing. Sometimes it is not. That’s just an observation. Has nothing to do with this post.

Verywellmind.com has this to say about the definition of happiness: “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction.”

This definition used some of the terms I came up with and by this definition, I have indeed experienced “happiness.” But I still think the whole concept is overrated. The element of “joy” could be left out and I would still be content. Happiness and joy can be very fleeting. But contentment can last. I think that is what matters most.

And that’s my thought for the day.