I know that this is something we all know about, but how many truly have it? And if you really did, wouldn't it always be with you?

I used to think that most people were mainly happy. Now I'm not so sure. I know that many are sometimes, especially when they're not at work. I'm not blaming work, because we all have to. Mind you, workplaces could do with an injection of emotion and warmth. I know this would improve things, but so would changing the way we feel.

Now imagine this. Happiness doesn't depend upon what our job, or family, or friends, or money offers, since it comes from within. We have all felt this bubble up from the inside-out.

What this would mean is that we'd always be happy, no matter where we are.

Interesting thread, but my answer will only prove we are all different our happiness will depend on different things.
I have been the happiest when doing a job I like, at work and home.
And if the job gets me down happiness is impossible till it is fixed.
It is even to me strange that our once layed back lifestyle has gone, we often fail to get away from work enough.
Like every one my dream is to win enough money to do my special thing, beach fishing on an abandoned beach far away.
But would I be happy?
In my country village a 42 year old lives who never worked, he got a job once and left he said it ruined his lifestyle! truly did after a week.
He seems to be the happiest bloke in town but maybe its a mask?

Dear Haralambos,

I'm more than happy to settle for little bits of 'happiness.'

Happiness for me results from the possession or attainment of what I consider good. Yesterday, I spent the entire day with my mother - who's suffering from early signs of dementia. It was a wonderful day, and seeing her enjoying herself made me realize just how precious time
spent with her really is.

Conditions in our lives change - and we have to deal with them as best as we can.

In life it's rare that every wish of ours is gratified. I'm content when at least some of mine are. But I also realize that I have to accept some of the responsibility. I can't depend on others - to make my happy.

Once my Aunt said something to me to which my usually placid Uncle replied "Leave her alone, love, she's had a hard life."...and I was first gobsmacked and then indignant.

ME? A hard life? I consider I've had the most incredible, exciting, wonderful life ever. Sure, there's been more than the usual share of bad stuff in that life...but the other side of the coin is that, because of this, there's been a more than usual share of kindness from strangers, generosity, love, friendship, sharing and laughter. Life, I believe, isn't drama but a melodrama: even within the most serious things the ridiculous intrudes.

I was reflecting only recently that I am a truly happy human being. Sure, there are glitches and irritations and maybe, from the outside looking in, others might wonder how on earth I could be happy. But I truly love my life.

I could be working somewhere I earned REAL money...but I love my job. I don't wake up in the morning with that feeling of boredom or dread or apathy at the thought of going to work. I could have a house of my own and security and all those things that are supposed to make us happy but then I would have worry and angst and insecurity too.

All those trite old sayings like there's two sides to every coin; nothing comes for free; you always pay a price; you have to take the good with the bad..etc. are true. Society doesn't prepare us for that though, so we keep on looking for the no-strings-attached kind of happiness that only exists, as The Chilli Peppers say, "in a Hollywood basement". Getting the balance right is the important thing.

Some people think it takes a lot of strength to take the path least trodden but I think it more a question of stubborness. It can be hard swimming against the tide but if one is stubborn enough to make choices that aren't governed by "I can't!" what one can be is...happy.

Happiness depends on circumstances while contentment is a spiritual condition that is available to those willing to abide by the umpires decision. Happiness is often fleeting because it depends on the approval of others while contentment is being at peace with self and Maker. The permissive person is often happy but never content because lust always wants more and is never satisfied for more than the moment. A contented person knows that they are loved by God and others. Happiness can be found in killing others (look at the celebrations by the Arabs after 9/11) or in being kind (Mother Theresa). The pursuit of happiness is folly while the pursuit of contentment is wise.

I saw a billboard recently with the following message:

"Persistence pays...remember, even the snails made it onto the ark."

I thought it was clever... :)