The Way to Happiness

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." But what exactly is happiness? Is it winning the race? Is it falling in love? Is it becoming rich? Or is happiness different for everyone? Some may define happiness as a feeling or state of well being. Some may define happiness as blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, felicity, gladness or joy. The truth is that all of these are only the good things that bring happiness, but they are not happiness themselves. Happiness is a very objective philosophy that has been studied by philosophers for centuries. Some of these philosophers include Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato. Happiness is unpredictable, inconsistent, and irrational. To each person what is considered good may be different, yet we come to the conclusion that it is the good in life that brings happiness, the ultimate happiness. This is our motive in life, and everything we do and all of the choices we make are in pursuit of it. We seek happiness through all of our actions. It is a very individual and personal thing, and different for everyone. "Happiness is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see it but only you can feel the warmth." (Urban Dictionary).

There are two kinds of happiness; long term, and momentary. Momentary happiness is usually the result of pleasure, while long term happiness is having an ongoing satisfaction in life. Short term happiness really may not be happiness at all because it isn't reality. Reality is life as a whole. If there is temporary pleasure but life as a whole is not good or satisfying then it is only pleasure. For example, someone addicted to drugs may get pleasure from taking one more hit, but that is only temporary pleasure and is not reality. It is not happiness, for once they return to reality they are not actually happy. This is why long term happiness is what must be achieved, for momentary happiness is only pleasure.

Before happiness can be achieved the basic needs of survival must be satisfied. These basic needs include food, shelter, freedom, and health; mentally and physically. These are needed in order to physically survive and reproduce. These basic needs of survival are necessary for all living animals. In order to reach our optimal state of being we must first secure these basic needs. Once these basic needs are satisfied, the quality of life is improved by establishing morals and values. These morals and values are determined through feelings and emotion.

Emotions are a natural response to life and are made up of two things; feeling and thought. They are feelings that guide towards or away from certain situations in life, and the conclusion that is come to by these actions. Emotions help the body decide which action to take next. An emotion is a reaction to a life event. Happiness is an emotion just as sadness, fear, jealousy, contentment, guilt, and love are all emotions. Negative emotions are a result of lack in morals and values. For example dishonesty may be the cause for guilt and even jealousy. Guilt is typically caused by acting against established virtues. Therefore, happiness has a cause and can be controlled to some extent. What separates happiness from the rest of these emotions is that it is life's purpose. Happiness is the ultimate emotion, the ultimate good. "Happiness is the state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." (urban dictionary). Happiness is the optimal state of being. Happiness, just as goals, are achieved by accomplishing good. These good things are called virtues.

Virtues are learned to improve the quality of life. They are the way people act according to their morals and values. Honesty, rationality, justice and integrity are some common virtues along with many others. Virtues are what separate humans from all other animals. Humans have the ability to know wrong from right, and the ability to feel and show emotion. Virtues are the difference between wrong and right, determined through feelings and emotions. Actions based on these virtues create what is known to be life. Life is the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual, yet "Life is not the same thing as existence. A rock exists." There are different components of life which include family, career, romance, and hobbies. These components are what we value in life. They are what make up a complete life. These values inspire virtuous actions that create life's story. "The reward for virtue is life as opposed to mere existence." (Dr. Kenner) Life is a direct result of virtues. These virtues are established from morals and values that we have learned through feeling and emotion. If these virtues are good and seek the best good, then the result is a good life. A good life is a satisfying life. So, the reward for a good life is happiness. "True happiness is a long lasting enduring enjoyment of life, it is being in love with living. It is your reward for achieving a good character and personal rational values in life." (Dr. Ellen Kenner) True happiness is the emotional response that comes from having a successful and virtuous life.