RedZeshin

What is happiness for you, and what do you think is the key to happiness?

I've read though everyone's answers and they've all made good and valid points. Anime & manga plots tend to always focus on the desire for happiness. I think the reason "Happiness" is so elusive, is because that's not the purpose of life.

Serving and truly caring & loving others in my experience is the key to happiness. Whether its simply going out to have pizza with friends, giving the perfect gift or just listening to or connecting with family members, friends, kids, strangers &/or pets or animals.

We desire the perfect "happiness" without any sorrows, troubles and injustices. But unfortunately, human nature is broken. Perhaps instead of trying to find the perfect "happiness" in our life, how can we genuinely seek to bring happiness to others?

Red

1) Happiness isn't a destination or a far-off goal. Rather, it's a means of travel, an approach to life, something we carry with us (or that can carry us) as we move forward. :D

To me, happiness is acceptance. Not being accepted by others, but being acceptent of yourself and the world. If we keep putting up racial, prejudice and whatnot ideas into our heads, we build walls that prevent us from seeing "the bigger picture."

Red

2) If you're looking for happiness and can't find it, then you've got it all backwards! In reality, happiness is looking for you and will find you soon enough

I'm sorry when I say this. That's bull. Things that can make you "happy" or cheerful can be out there for you, but true happiness, you have to find that for yourself. True happiness is what I said above. To me at least. You have to be able to see the bigger picture. Without that, you're just living in a box, and you don't what's out there, why your even in a box, you don't understand anything. True happiness comes from acceptance which comes from understanding.

Red

3) Happiness isn't absolutely dependent on external factors... with some wisdom, deep breaths and the right frame of mind, it can be an internal decision.

I won't even get into that.

Red

4) It can be found for cheap huddled in a blanket, a good book, hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls on a cold day. XP

You're mistaking happiness for pleasure here. Here we feel pleasure, maybe we get into a good mood, but are we really happy? Not really.

Red

What is happiness for you, and what do you think is the key to happiness?

I already described what I think happiness is. I already described a way of getting to it. But maybe that's just me.

Freedom: free to do what you want...no boundaries
Luxury: wealthy, clothes, food, shelter...to get what you want
Love: ability to love a thing/person > putting your whole heart in something & caring
Having Friends (Friendship): friends to talk and have fun to...not lonely..share interest and talks..problems
Family (Kids): supporting you and caring for you...always love you and do anything to keep you safe
Health: to avoid pain and suffering
Things you enjoy doing (Interest/Hobbies): doing something you love and enjoy to keep interested
Beauty: beautiful inside and outside ..bringing confidence in yourself
Intelligence: Being smart ..to understand and know how things are and work
Career (Power/Success): Being successfuly