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HAP'PINESS, noun [from happy.] The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain; felicity; but happiness usually expresses less than felicity, and felicity less than bliss. happiness is comparative. To a person distressed with pain, relief from that pain affords happiness; in other cases we give the name happiness to positive pleasure or an excitement of agreeable sensations. happiness therefore admits of indefinite degrees of increase in enjoyment, or gratification of desires. Perfect happiness or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life. (Webster 1828 Dictionary)
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Terms/words: joy (any others?)
Lisa Brower: Other words I use to describe happiness: contentment, satisfaction, true peace, having and being enough.
Lisa, I love how these terms are all self-determined, resulting from taking affirmative ownership over situations around us and possible! It reminds me of Victor Frankl's "Man Search for Meaning": I believe all of these terms would fit into his philosophical outlook on life.
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Mary: I would like to start this discussion off by looking at a similar phrase: "the purpose of life." I think that as we define and refine our "purpose" behind what we do, it will affect or perhaps even determine our happiness.
This video which is intended to train Seminary teachers has opened my eyes to the power of purpose. On a basic level, our purpose in an activity affects everything. For example, last night when I was reading the rules of a game to play with my son, we started haggling over interpretation of the rules even before we started playing. As I lay in bed thinking about that example, I thought, "What is my purpose in playing the game with him?" Honestly, it was to win. Change that purpose to "to bond with my son, demonstrate good sportsmanship and learn strategy." All of a sudden, I find myself in a different mood when discussing the rules. It is not how I can use the rules to my advantage, but rather what understanding can we reach.
I wonder if a sense of unhappiness arises when our underlying purposes in life are selfish or prideful?
Definition of "PURPOSE" in 1828 dictionary
1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion. We believe the Supreme Being created intelligent beings for some benevolent and glorious purpose and if so, how glorious and benevolent must be his purpose in the plan of redemption! The ambition of men is generally directed to one of two purposes, or to both; the acquisition of wealth or of power. We build houses for the purpose of shelter; we labor for the purpose of subsistence.
2. Intention; design. This sense, however, is hardly to be distinguished from the former; as purpose always includes the end in view.
Every purpose is established by counsel. Proverbs 20:18.
Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ephesians 1:11.
3. End; effect; consequence, good or bad. What good purpose will this answer? We sometimes labor to no purpose Men often employ their time, talents and money for very evil purposes.
Other words I use to describe happiness: contentment, satisfaction, true peace, having and being enough.
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