There are many definitions of happiness and what happiness actually means to each and every person. Which is great because a variety of “happiness possibilities” is always preferred over the opposite!! 😊🌞💖🎁🍫
FIRST: The definition of “happy” from the Oxford dictionary is: the feeling or showing of pleasure or contentment. So, if we were to receive a compliment on how beautiful/handsome we are or on a job well done today, we could be said to be in a state of happiness. Because each of these compliments would make us feel really good! (Pssssst….You’re beautiful!! And you’re doing an amazing job being you today. And you deserve to hear that every day. 😍🥰)
Or if someone made us the most delicious meal and we were savoring each and every bite, we might show enjoyment and pleasure on our faces from such a delectable dish!! And from the thoughts behind this dish from the lovely being that made it for us. ☺️ Those smiling and pleased faces are displays of happiness, too!!
SIDE NOTE: I actually just had that last part happen to me!! Where a sweet and VERY talented friend of mine – – who is also a super gifted Chef – – prepared a fabulous and incredibly generous meal for me, to bring me wholesome food, cheer, and good vibes as I slowly make my way through my ACL rehab. It was the nicest offer and the kindest gesture AND the food was mouth-watering scrumptiousness!!! Talk about happiness on a plate!!!! 😃 🍽 Remember the names ‘Plated Soul’ and Chef Todd because you will want to experience his game-changer food selections, if given the chance! The love, passion, and attention to detail that he has for his creations comes through crystal clear with every bite!! Plus he makes sure his dishes are enticing to the eyes as well as the tastebuds – – See for yourself!!! ⬇️
I got sidetracked, (as you can see!!!), though I had to include this as a “happiness example” because that is exactly what it was for me! A beautiful soul goes out of his way to do something really special for me and that deserves to be acknowledged!! Especially because he, his time, and his homemade gourmet food are so appreciated! 💕💕
OKAY, back on track!! So, happiness can clearly be influenced by the outside world, both in a positive way (like with all of the examples given so far in this post) or in a negative way, if other people or outside things impact us in a not-so-pleasant way. “Influenced” being the standout word in this sentence…..
Because SECONDLY: happiness is an internal manifestation and something that comes to fruition from the inside out….not from the outside in, which can cause great confusion and misunderstanding to many who see it differently. Like, if someone says, “I can make you so happy” or if someone believes more money will make them happy. This isn’t really the case, is it?? A person can ADD happiness to another’s life, but not create it for another being. That is something only the individual can produce for themselves. And the same goes with 💰💰. Money can also ADD happiness and a sense of freedom to someone’s life…if they believe money is another layer of goodness to an already abundant life. But if the money is used for the purposes of filling an emptiness or a void within, no amount of money (even if you are a millionaire or a billionaire) will be able to complete an impossible task like that. Because the outside world cannot fill up our inside world. 🌍
As you recall, (from many earlier posts!!) the thoughts we think create how we feel. Example time!!! So, if we are having a terrible day and someone does something really nice for us, we think about that niceness and it will either lift us up and make us feel better….ORRRR it could even make us feel frustrated or more upset because our thoughts are stuck in a negative headspace and no lovely gesture from another is going to change that. That kindness from another may be perceived as pity or it may remind us of our terrible day and make us feel worse. All because of our thoughts surrounding this gesture of kindness from our friend. In both cases, the sweet niceness from our friend has remained the same. But our thoughts and feelings when thinking about that niceness differ greatly and impact how we feel, act, behave, and what we do because of it.
Our minds, the thoughts we think, and our experiences that have influenced and shaped our perceptions are so very powerful!!!!!
And so, THIRDLY: If asked “what does happiness mean to you?,” the answers generally center around a time in our life when we felt pure happiness or it might be described as how happiness feels in someone’s mind-body-soul. Which means asking this question allows someone to conger up memories of moments and events in their life where they felt this sense of happiness. Such as “Happiness is when I was at the beaches in Oahu, Hawaii and living my best life.” 🏖 Or “Happiness is spending time with my family on a Sunday and sharing laughs and great conversation.” OR “Happiness means my heart is light, my soul feels alive, and my body feels full of fresh energy.” And so on!!
Which is why, LASTLY: when I came across this wonderful quote, it made me pause and really think about the word “happiness.” Because, in my opinion, this quote blends ALL of the above definitions and significances of the word and ties them all together as one layered phenomenon.
Take notice?? Yes, please!!!! William Morris is telling us that “the true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
And the writings below his quote simply say this: Mindfulness is a mental state of being in which you focus on the present moment and simply take notice. It is a state of awareness in which you are able to notice and acknowledge what is going on both inside you and in your surroundings.
And I love this view of happiness because it simply means be present in our life and in our own bodies and notice all the subtleties that exist whenever possible. Because the more we notice and the more awareness we have in our daily life, the more we can acknowledge, appreciate, find a state of gratitude, see the beauty before our eyes, be in tune with our bodies, and feel what it means to be alive. And with each of these powerful items, they have the ability to produce amazing thoughts and views about our lives which can lead us to being in a state of happiness. To take a genuine interest in our daily life, habits, and happenings often leads to receiving all the good things that are there…which means the feelings of happiness manifest, over and over again.
Final thoughts: All this to say happiness stems from our awareness and our mindfulness. And the more we see, take in, and notice, the more we connect to our inner self – – which also makes us more receptive and open to the outside world. It’s like this interconnected dance between it all, in which each piece adds color, depth, and dynamics to the whole. And the more we TAKE NOTICE, the more we can soak up the positivity and memorable moments in our daily lives that make us feel good.
SO, if and when someone asks us, “what does happiness mean to you??, we can say “Happiness is……” and recite a list a mile long or more!!!! That is what I wish for us!!
Sending happiness vibes your way to add to the amazing energy that is YOU!!! ✨😊✨