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What do you really need to fell happy?

Haven't people been trying to answer that since the beginning? I'd be amazed if anyone on this forum was able to provide an answer that worked for you.

As for me, I don't know if I'll ever have a concrete answer, and maybe that is my answer. For me, stagnation, or just being content with one simple happiness equation, would be depressing. I find more fulfillment, if that's what you want to call it, through searching, learning and growing. I suppose my idea is to constantly become better than I am. That way, I will always both achieve my goal and always strive for it.

I could also bring religion into this, but that's even more controversial than the generic question of happiness. In short, I'm not sure anything I say on that subject would make a difference to you or anyone else one way or another.

I can, however, mention that there are a few things usually accepted to not be a guarantee of happiness. Material wealth not bringing happiness is something of a cliche, but that doesn't make it less true. I have several rich Californian relatives I could cite as proof to this idea. Basically, commercial success, wealth, possessions, etc. are always the obvious answers in our society, but in truth are very deceptive and never actually satisfy a person.

In the end, you can only search diligently for the answer, as long as it takes. Above all, never give in to despair, or you surrender to your lowest instincts and trust in an easy lie.

I think having free time is one of the most important things we can give ourselves. If we don't have time to pursue the things we like learning about/doing, or visiting with the people we care about, we can't be happy.

Love

A lot of love and a lot of luck.

Security, Love, and good health...everything else is the " whipped cream on the cake "

Knowing that there is a least one person in the world you can totally and utterly rely on & who will always be there for you. IMO that is all that is needed to be happy.

Love, family, a good health, a good book, enjoying the little moments in life.

Soooo true re the " little moments "

Doing great things.

The realization that I already have everything (inside) I will ever need to be happy

Enough...and realizing what enough means.

@Carla
Love the avatar ...

Hi Fran!

Winter is back...and so am I...

It was -15 degrees here a couple of days ago and the snow is drifted over a foot and a half in the back. Time to read and write!

When you get to a "certain age" you appreciate happy more...your own mortality hits you upside the head and it's all downhill from there. But utmost you need your health. If everything works and nothing has fallen off yet...be overjoyed. Friends and family, knowing when you do buy the farm you'll be remembered.

Having enough money to live plus enough for the happy extras, even if it's just buying a latte and a good book once a month...oh and nails don't forget the nails... Which also means being happy if you have gainful employment of some description...so many people don't these days, if you have even a tolerable job give yourself a hug.

Mostly happy for me is being surrounded by my books and companion critters, yup perfect happy!

Carla Hurst-Chandler wrote:Hi Fran!

Winter is back...and so am I...

It was -15 degrees here a couple of days ago and the snow is drifted over a foot and a half in the back. Time to read and write!

Good to have you back. With the avatar change I nearly missed your return, funny how you start to associate someone with their avatar.
-15 OMG I can't even imagine how cold that is!