So, what is Happiness?
The first thing that we will do is find out from the public what the definition of happiness is.
The easiest way to do this is to look in reputable dictionaries.
We have consulted three different dictionaries:
Dictionary.com
Which gives us a modern internet definition.
Oxford dictionary.
Which gives a British English definition.
Mirriam Webster Dictionary
Which gives an American perspective.
The following information was found:
Dictionary.com
The quality or state of being happy characterised by good fortune; pleasure; contentment or joy.
This definition describes happiness as a state with certain characteristics.
Oxford dictionary.
The state of feeling or showing pleasure.
The state of being satisfied that something is good or right.
The key word again is defining happiness as a state.
Mirriam Webster Dictionary.
A pleasurable or satisfying experience.
Enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment.
From these definitions it is evident that happiness is a state of mind.
We now consolidate these three definitions into a single definition.
A state of mind that is characterised by feelings that contain an abundance of positive emotions.
For example:
Feeling joyfulness
Feeling optimism
Feeling peacefulness
Feeling security.
We can formulate this definition again:
When you feel a dominance of positive emotions such as: joyfulness; optimism; peacefulness or security;
You will find yourself in a state of happiness.
So, in order to increase your experience of happiness, it leads us to the conclusion that you need to increase your experience of positive emotions.
|