Definition of Happiness Revised

So far this semester I have learned a lot about what happiness really is. Through reading Deep Economy and through doing the prompts that went with the assigned reading I feel that I have come to a fuller understanding of what happiness is and what it means to me. Webster’s dictionary’s definition of happiness is: A state of well-being and contentment.  My definition of happiness is: Achieving contentment and peace. Through reflecting on happiness, I have found that relationships bring me the most happiness. I feel the happiest when I am with my family, friends, and girlfriend. I also feel happy when I play basketball or exercise. I think that happiness is found many different ways, but it seems to me that most people find happiness in relationships with others. Through reading Deep Economy I have learned that more is not necessarily better. I feel very fortunate to live where I do and have the resources that I have. Although I am happy, it is not due to my financial well being or having many things. I would be as happy as I am now even if I did not live where I live and did not have the things that I have. One of my friends has recently gotten married and is not as financially stable as most people would prefer to be. When I was talking to him the other day about how things were going he mentioned that while he was struggling to make ends meet, that he was happy. He said that less is more. He doesn’t have many material possessions to distract him from what really matters, his family. Through this class I have a better understanding of what happiness is and how to find it.