My quiet husband ever once in a while out of no where will ask me a deep question. Like yesterday at breakfast, he said...Are you happy? Well, after stopping in my tracks. It was interesting to follow my thought processes. I'm not unhappy. I'm well, finally over my cold. Your archery meet is over. Everyone seems to be doing okay right now despite their individual problems, etc. etc. All this speeds through your mind in mili-seconds and then I found myself saying: YES! I'm happy!
But then I started wondering what happiness really is. JOY I know-sublime spiritual feelings of communion with deity. PLEASURE-a momentary passage of enjoying something completely, but HAPPINESS? So I looked it up in the dictionary, I found it defined as contentment. Ah yes, I like that definition. At the moment I am contented with where I live, the kind of person I'm trying to become, the activities I am involved with, the friends I have, my church membership, etc. Does that mean everything is perfect? NO! This is earth life and is meant to be full of CHALLENGES and TRIALS to STRENGTHEN and TEST us, but then I understand that I can be content with less than perfect days, friends, activities, etc.
It is involved also with GRATITUDE and EXPECTATIONS. Not being greedy or selfish but trying to give some SERVICE each day to others and remembering to PRAY for GUIDANCE and DIRECTION in all we do. Yes, I am HAPPY. If you are unhappy, take a moment and list all the blessings in your life and focus on them for a while instead of your problems...