How often have you been asked how you are and responded with “I’m good, happy as can be”? Even though we may not mean it every time we say it, we generally are content with our lives for the most part. But what does happiness really mean? Can we be truly happy all the time?
There is no simple answer to the question of what happiness means. Some may represent a state of euphoria, while others may see it as a more subdued sense of satisfaction. Happiness means something different to each individual. We all have those days where we swing back and forth like a pendulum between happiness and sadness—we’re not sad, we’re not happy, we’re just kind of content, or in the middle. As much as we’d like to have great happiness all the time, it eventually swings back, so we tend to search for a way for us because we cannot sustain it physically, emotionally, and mentally.
When we look at happiness or remember happy times, it’s usually the simplest things that bring us absolute joy—spending time with family and friends—watching a movie—going on vacation. A promotion at work, winning an award, going for a bike ride, buying a new car, and so on. In reality, having a routine is the basis or foundation for true happiness. We need a solid routine to keep us content because it equates to happiness or the pendulum going from very happy to very unhappy.
Starting your day off on the right foot can make a world of difference in how you feel throughout the rest of the day. Having a morning routine can help you set the tone for a successful day. The better the morning routine, the more you accomplish a positive and happy mindset. This allows you to be set up and be content and happy; hence, having balance in your schedule helps you be satisfied and prevents you from being overwhelmed and swinging to great unhappiness.
So what does happiness really mean? The answer may be a little different for each person, but happiness is generally about feeling good mentally and emotionally. It’s about having positive thoughts and feelings and being content with your life.