What is the meaning of life? Where do we go when we die? How do we find joy?

These are questions that many have struggled to answer, myself included. It can be hard to see the good in life, or the point in following certain rules and social standards, but I found some people who know how to find their "happy." I asked them this: "What is the definition of happiness? Can we clearly define it?"

People from all ages and walks of life responded. These were their answers. Get your waders on, because this is about to get deep.

1. Happiness to me is being surrounded by family, friends, and coworkers who you love and enjoy spending time with.

It’s not a momentary thing, a piece of cake or a diamond necklace or a new Ferrari. How unhappy are the people who have those things if that is what their happiness depends on? Materiality only lasts so long. It’s relationships. Like Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, once wrote, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil.” James (Male, 29)

2. Happiness is a choice.

The quote “you create your own happiness” is so true. (Female, 32)

3. Happiness is in the family.

Families are forever, no matter what! (Female, 53)

4. Happiness to me is anything that sparks joy.

My happiness is defined by my role as a wife, mother, and daughter of Heavenly Father. (Female, Age 24)

5. Happiness is a contagious state of positivity that encourages one to help others find happiness. (Female, 20)

6. Happiness is based on circumstances and the fulfillment of selfish wants.

Joy, given by God, is a satisfaction in the soul, regardless of the situation around us. It is a constant state, achievable only by being in steady communication with our Heavenly Father. (Female, 51)

7. I think happiness is pretty much necessary to make life enjoyable.

I find myself to be happiest when I’m with my family, friends, and working my dream job, as a healthcare provider, to people in need. (Female, 21)

8. Happiness is finding joy in the little things.

Even on dark days, the light peeks through. (Female, 21)

9. Happiness is my 8-month-old’s full belly and toothless grin. (Female, 22)

10. Happiness is being at peace with yourself and your insufficiencies, which only comes through a trust in Jesus Christ. (Male, 20)

11. Happiness is being ok, no matter what is going on around you. (Male, 18)

As one ages, happiness is waking each day and the joy of knowing that if you do not wake, you will spend eternity with Jesus. (Female, 75)

12. Happiness to me is teaching children about Jesus…

Oh! I have two. Happiness is traveling. Wait, I have three: family. Or friends. Or being kind. Oh, I better stop. (Female, 58)

13. Happiness is from outer circumstances. Joy is from within. (Female, 51)

14. Happiness is making others happy even when they don’t want to be.

It is turning your focus towards others instead of yourself because you know that they need to smile more at that moment than you do. (Female, 23)