Finding YOUR happiness

In keeping with the theme of the "finding your true north" and what direction that is for you. I came to this question, which I am sure many have pondered.. am I happy? where does my happiness lay? can I buy happiness? how do I find my happiness? what does it mean to be truly happy?

Happiness shifts as people age, younger people are more likely to associate happiness with excitement, older people are more likely to associate happiness with feeling peaceful—a change driven by increasing feelings of connectedness to others and to the present moment.

The word "happy" can be used as high-arousal words (excited, giddy, energetic) and with low-arousal words (peaceful, calm, relaxed).

There has been research done that shows bloggers under 20 were more than twice as likely to use the word happy in the same sentence as an excited-related word than bloggers over 40. In contrast, bloggers over 40 were almost twice as likely to use the word happy in the same sentence as a peaceful-related word than bloggers under 20.

These results, reveal that feeling excited was positively related to happiness amongst younger adults, whereas feeling peaceful was positively related to happiness amongst older adults.
The meaning of happiness is dynamic—changing over the course of one’s lifetime.

Everyone wishes to attain happiness, he can never say definitely and consistently what it is that he really wishes and wills..... typical hey.. we all chase different things at different times in our lives. ...
For some of us.. happiness is the next promotion, or the all elusive raise. Needless to say as we age we realize happiness isn't found in possessions but rather in who we are. Our media has a tendency to teach us that you won't be happy until you have set yourself in the latest "sexy" sport car or whatever other material item they are trying to sell. Notice though its an item and we are to define ourselves by that..or through ownership of it.

Here's some quotes to ponder...

Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.

Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.


True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.