Happiness is....

A few of you have asked me to elaborate on my last post on happiness. Is it directly related to satisfaction and how do you know if you have really achieved true happiness? So, let’s look at this more. First, we should explore the meaning and use of the word ‘happiness’. No I am not going to go in to a detailed view, but do want to set some context of the word.

We have all heard of the line from the United States Declaration of Independence “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” but what did Thomas Jefferson mean when he wrote this into the declaration? Many have made interpretations of what they believe it means, but the interpretation I like is from the historical perspective that describes that from that era the pursuit of happiness would have been grounded in the ‘goal of human virtue’. It is a basic goal of each individual as well as gives each person a purposeful meaning to life. This did not mean material goods or money, but a state of being based on your virtues.

Looking further at the word we can look back to the origin of the word.

The word happiness comes from the Greek work eudaimonia. From what I can tell on readings of this eudaimonia is the sense of ethics and virtues. It is related to understanding that there is an overall measurement of the quality of life—what I see as life satisfaction and there is a measurement of desirable life—what I see as happiness. What is interesting is both of these descriptions of happiness are grounded in the virtues and ethics of an individual. Does that sound familiar? Remember the discussion on values? Hum..so happiness is grounded in virtues or ethics, or values.

Well enough of the history and word lesson, I know there are many others that could do more to describe it academically, spiritually, and even mentally, but I don’t think going into that deep of a conversation is necessary right now. I am going with these two descriptions and say that happiness is based on your virtues or values.

My thoughts, first happiness comes from how close your actions, words and deeds match to your values. It does not mean satisfaction. You can be satisfied in a task or accomplishment, but that doesn’t always mean you are happy. An example would be that I get very satisfied when I eat. I love to eat so a big meal of all the things I love really satisfies me, but does that make me happy? NO! My values and goals do not match up with me not being hungry. So, the task of eating is very satisfying but my happiness will come when I achieve my goal of feeling healthy.

Happiness flows from my values.

So, again I have to go back to the point that you must understand your values in order to truly be happy. Without that first step you may be satisfied and you may find short bouts of happiness, but it will be empty. Understand your values, and live them. The pursuit of happiness is living your values. Once you do that, then you will be truly happy.