In my post last week, I announced that my Word of the Year (WOTY) was happiness, and the reasons for choosing that particular word. You can read about it here if you’d like. I’ve been thinking about the things that bring me happiness, and I thought that first, perhaps we should look at the meaning of happiness. When I think of happiness, I also think of Joy. Is there a difference between happiness and joy? I set out to do some googling to find out. From what I can find, it seems that joy is extreme happiness, which is pretty much what I thought.
Happiness
I found the following meaning for happiness on verywellmind.com.
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.
Happy is a subjective feeling, and I’m sure, can at times be difficult to recognise. I’m basically a happy person, even though there have been times in my life that I’ve questioned whether or not I am happy. Happy doesn’t mean that you want to be doing a happy dance all around the place. Other words to describe the state of happiness are excitement, joy, gratitude, contentment, optimism. For me, a feeling of general contentment and peace equals happiness.
Happy Signs
The following signs of being happy keep coming up in happy articles. I’ve added my thoughts on these signs.
You feel satisfied with the way your life is turning out – My life is definitely not turning out the way I had planned. That’s not to say that I’m disappointed with the twists and turns my life has taken. I’m actually very satisfied and content with my life, even though it’s different today than I thought it would be when I was younger. The fact that my life is not the type of lifestyle that many would choose, doesn’t concern me at all.
You have more positive than negative feelings – I do have my moments, when my negative feelings take over, and I find it difficult to think of anything at all positive. I also have my moments of sadness, but I’m sure that even through the negatives and the sadness, I’m still basically a happy person.
Feeling that you are living the life you wanted – I find this one a bit difficult. I’m definitely not living the life I wanted. The life I wanted was taken away from me fifteen years ago. However, after all that has happened in my life, I can honestly say that I’m living the life I want today and the life that I love.
Feeling that the conditions of your life are good – The conditions of my life are good for me. We live off the grid, and I’m aware that many people wouldn’t like the conditions that entails, but it’s not at all an issue for me. I’m in a situation that enables me to work by choice and not because I have to for the money. Working is about more than money for me and is one of the good things in my life.
Feeling that you have accomplished (or will accomplish) what you want in life – I do feel as though I have accomplished much of what I wanted in my life when I was younger. Having run a successful business for 34 years, there have been many accomplishments along the way. Combine that with the accomplishment of raising three really great children. These days, I’m happy to leave the big accomplishments to others, as I plod along, doing my own thing.
The more I think about happiness, it occurs to me that a peaceful life is a happy life. I definitely have a peaceful and happy life, so even though I’m not deliriously happy every day, I think I’m winning in the happiness stakes.
Here’s the link to my other blog if you’d like to check it out – Tracking Down The Family
This post is linked to Denyse’s Link up which occurs each Monday and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
What does happiness mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and promise to reply to all comments left.
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Hi, Jennifer – I have been collecting quotes on peace (my WOTY) for my Peace Journal.
I have added “a peaceful life is a happy life” under today’s date.
Thank you for this.
That’s great Donna. I’d be interested to read your quotes. What a great idea
Hi Jen, what a positive way to start Monday and we are thinking along the same wavelength this week. My Podcast/Post is about Overcoming the ‘I’ll be happy when’ syndrome. I think you have chosen a perfect word. It will be challenging to stay happy during this pandemic which won’t go away but I think we have to try. have a great week! #lifethisweek
I will listen to your podcast Sue. It’s a topic that I’m very interested in. I think the key to being happy in these difficult timesis making the decision not to worry about what you can’t control.
Hi Jennifer – I think happiness comes back to contentment. If we’re content with our life and not constantly comparing or striving for more, then happiness just settles peacefully over us (almost without us even noticing). I’m very happy with my life these days. There are bigger things in the world that I can’t change, and I’ve learnt to accept that and to just get on with being grateful for every little joy that comes my way. I think it sounds like you’re in a very similar place – and you can’t really ask for more than that can you?
I totally agree Leanne. I’m very happy with my lot in life
I think I’m basically a more up than down sort of person – I def have more positive than negative days – and while I don’t think I’ve accomplished what I want to in life (yet), I actually think that I probably will so that’s a tick from me.
I’ve got no doubt you will achieve whatever it is that you want Jo. I’m more positive than negative too and am very grateful for that.
Yes happiness to me is all about knowing what to let go and what to hold onto. It’s sometimes easier said than done though isn’t it? I love the way you are treating your WOTY and researching happiness is a great way to start the year.
I agree Deb – these things are definitely easier said than done. Unfortunately
Last year I took a few on-line courses on the subject of happiness (via Coursera) and they really helped me identify what I needed in my life to increase my happiness. Not that everyday is happy, but many more days are than not. Contentment is a big word for me, too. As is joy.
I’d never thought of a course on happiness Pat. Sounds interesting
You certainly have risen above what some people would find hard to let go, and are using your life’s experiences and choices to move forward.
I am more content these days than I used to be, and have pockets of what I name as “awe” and “wonder” in my life. I tend to see happy more as a temporary state these days, just as I view sadness. The teachings from my Calm meditators and all the readings I have done and live from and with, tell me nothing is permanent.
I so admire your get up and go when many others would not be able to do that.
Thank you for sharing your post with us for Life This Week Link Up at Denyse Whelan Blogs. I hope to see you back next Monday. Denyse.
Thanks for your kind words Denyse. I think awe and wonder at your life are a great state to aim for.
Jen this is a biggie for me because I know how much of our happiness comes from within and our ability to do the things you mention – be grateful, accept things etc… and it’s something I need to get much better at!
It’s definietely easier said than done. I understand the difficulty. Good luck with it Deb.
Jennifer, Lovely to hear you have a peaceful and happy life. I enjoy reading your thoughts on happy signs as I have those feelings and am very happy with my life. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
We are very happy to be content with our lives Natalie. There are many who aren’t. Thanks for dropping by.
Happiness is a great word for the year. When I think of happiness one on the things I associate is laughing and smiling. Have you seen the Christmas movie “Elf”? There is a line in there where he saying, “I just like to smile. Smiling is my favourite.”
I haven’t seen the elf but I love that quote. I agree, smiling does make you feel better
Last year my word of the year was “declutter” because our house was getting cluttered. It did not help that we had two more adults living with us in our small house bringing in their own things. In my house you would find sections where it was neat and intentional and other sections where it was piled up. Did it make me happy? Well that’s complicated. I think taking ownership that this was my house and my BILs were my tentants helped reclaim my happiness. If I did not take ownership, we would have been swallowed in the clutter.
That’s so interesting Julie. I know muddled clutter makes you feel so it must have been a challenge for you.