For many, there is no single key to happiness. Others find a combination of a few things make their happiness manifest. But then, some find happiness in the bottom of a bottle, or in some sordid, non society accepted, vice of one type or another. As if that is really happiness, or just an illusion that dulls the pain of life.

Many others define happiness by highlighting what it is not. For instance, the absence of family tribulations, or finding freedom from some illicit drug.

Happiness always seems to be right in front of us, yet eludes the majority of those that seek it.

What is the key to happiness? Or even better, what truly is happiness? Or maybe even better, what is your key to happiness.

H&K-Guy

Its being happy with yourself, and making the best of whatever life circumstance you find yourself in.

Happiness is being able to see the good in something (whether a person place or thing). And at the same time put whatever is bad or painful in its proper perspective.

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Its being happy with yourself, and making the best of whatever life circumstance you find yourself in.

Exactly. Nothing to add.

Honestly though a job you love and a family)friend you would die for. Edit to add Time to enjoy a good cigar and a fine scotch. I have been blessed with all of the above it's been a long hard road but in the end it has been well worth the ride.

Success is having what you want. Happiness is wanting what you have.

Seek to be content.

Happiness is usually a temporary situation, and oftentimes an illusion.

Being content is a very good spot.

There's no "key".....it's a choice.

It varies from person to person. I think some are more biologically/psychologically predisposed to being happy.

Bacon.

Helloooooo.

Maintaining a sense of gratitude

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
There's no "key".....it's a choice.

Here is the correct answer.

You make the choice every day if you are going to have a good day or not. Shit's gonna happen no matter what, it's how you react to it that counts. My ex wife is miserable - always has been. She always thought/thinks that happiness is a destination - that the next job, next house, next possession is going to be the thing that finally makes her happy. There are a whole lot of people like that. I'm so fortunate I finally learned the truth and found a person with the same philosophy. Been married 9 years and we've never had a fight or cross word between us. Life is so much better.

You decide every day if you are going to be happy or not.

For me it's a job that pays me enough money to have time and funds enough to enjoy time off with my family.

I don't need anything extravagant, but I spent over a decade working 70+ hours a week to just get by as a single-income family, and missed out on so much.

Never again.

Ever know any folks that aren't truly happy unless they are mad?
Fussing and fighting... major drama... all the dang time.

Me? I'm very happy when they leave.

I think it's having someone in your life that accepts you, respects you, validates you, and makes you a better person.

So yeah, it's a dog.

I'll repeat what I heard a long time ago that was based on a research study.

People who are grateful for at least 3 things everyday and wrote it down are happier.

Bottom line is: the key to happiness is having a habit of gratefulness.

Here's a link to an article I googled just now. Link

P.S. I see Wassabibill and I are on the same page.

My dogs don't know I'm not a billionaire

Doing the best you can with what you have.
Being happy with that.

Happiness? Well lets see. For me it's been many things, a great wife and family, decades of motorcycling, hunting with great buddies, fishing, a job that I loved for 41 years and many more adventures. I could go on and on.

I've had a number of bumps in the road like everyone else, but when one occurs I force myself to think how lucky I am to have been born a wasp in the greatest (not perfect) country the world has ever seen. I've never worried about not having enough to eat or drink or if I'll have a roof over my head at the end of the day.

I think about the billions, yes billions of people around the world who would trade places with me in a heartbeat. I'm happy when I can make a positive contribution in someone else's life. I'm thankful when someone does the same for me.

I've made a number of bitches about this and that on this forum but at the end of the day I'm happy with things just the way they are for the most part and shrug off the little shit. This makes me happy.

Jim