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I Asked 14 People To Define Happiness

Grab your waders, because it is about to get deep.

Alexandria Poteet

Mar 05, 2018

Texas A&M University

170

Pexels

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)

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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I Asked 14 People To Define Happiness

Grab your waders, because it 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.

2. Happiness is a choice.

3. Happiness is in the family.

4. Happiness to me is anything that sparks joy.

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.

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

8. Happiness is finding joy in the little things.

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)

12. Happiness to me is teaching children about Jesus…

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.

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"I'm hopeless and awkward and desperate for love"

1. That Time He Tested Out His Flirting Skills and This Happened

2. When He Was Willing to Do Anything to Avoid Confrontation

3. When He Couldn't Handle Awkward, Emotional Situations

4. How He Reacted Whenever His Friends Ignored Him

5. All of the Times He Worried About His Failing Love Life

6. Whenever He Tried to Whip Himself Into Shape

7. How He Handled New People and New Experiences

8. Whenever His Friends Got Annoying, He Was Always the Voice of Reason

9. He Always Knew How to Jam

10. He Finds a Way to Make Any Situation More Fun

No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

Please hold your blonde joke.

1. "Is Elle Woods your spirit animal?"

2. "Is that your natural hair color?"

3. "Oh wow, you get good grades at school?"

4. "You must really like the color pink!"

5. "You’re probably not into sports, right?"

6. "You must have such a bubbly personality."

7. "Your wardrobe must consist of all things preppy."

8. "What sorority are you in?"

9. "You were probably a cheerleader in high school."

10. "You look like you’re from L.A. because your hair is so light."

11. "You definitely like Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks!"

12. "Do you actually think blondes have more fun?"

13. "You must encompass the typical “white girl” stereotype."

14. "Is that daddy’s credit card you’re using?"

15. "So all of your friends are blonde too?"

16. "I’m surprised about you; I thought you would be a lot ditsier."

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1. When you get your acceptance letter

2. When you try to figure out how class enrollment works

3. When it’s move in day

4. When you arrive on campus and see all of the attractive people

5. FROG Week

6. When you find your squad

7. When you visit DHall (RIP) or EHall for the first time

8. When you take on way too many credits

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