the definition of happiness

 

The word-lover and English major in me is coming out today! I've decided to take a look at good ol' Merriam-Webster to find out the definitions of some of the words I use all the time in this blog. It's amazing to me how often we use certain words but have trouble defining what they mean. Especially when it comes to words like happiness, definitions can be tricky. We each have our own ways of defining what makes us happy, but let's take a look at some actual definitions to see how they compare...

Happiness: (1) good fortune; (2) a state of well-being and contentment; (3) a pleasurable or satisfying experience

Well-being: (1) the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous

Happy: (1) favored by luck or fortune; (2) notably fitting, effective, or well adapted; (3) enjoying or characterized by well-being or contentment; (4) expressing, reflecting, or suggestive of happiness; (5) having or marked by an atmosphere of good; (6) glad or pleased; (7) characterized by a dazed, irresponsible state; (8) impulsively quick to use or do something; (9) enthusiastic about something to the point of obsession

Positivity: (1) quality or state of being positive; (2) something that is positive

Positive: (1) formally laid down or imposed; (2) expressed clearly; (3) fully answered; (4) independent of changing circumstances; (5) relating to a motion that is definite or certain in its action; (6) not fictitious; (7) active and effective in a social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order; (8) indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence, rather than negation, withholding, or absence; (9) having a rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject; (10) contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression; (11) directed or moving toward a source of stimulation; (12) real and numerically greater than zero; (13) affirming the presence of a substance or condition believed to be present; (14) having a good effect; (15) marked by optimism

Now: (1) at the present moment or time; (2) in the time immediately before the present; (3) in the time immediately to follow; (4) used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to express command, request, or admonition; (5) used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point; (6) sometimes; (7) under the present circumstances; (8) at the time referred to; (9) by this time

Present: (1) the present time; (2) a gift; (3) to make a gift to or bestow; (4) to aim, direct, or point so as to face something or a particular direction; (5) to introduce socially; (6) now existing or in progress; (7) being in view or at hand; (8) existing in something mentioned or under consideration; (9) of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the present moment; (10) attentive; (11) immediate or instant

Wow. Those definitions are pretty intense. Not surprisingly, these words mean a lot more than we think they do, which is interesting to think about in relation to how we speak. We are constantly saying words with more than one meaning but, for the most part, we understand what others are saying. Why is that? Context. When we put words in context, we get their intended meaning (usually). Context is so important in communication, but we'll save that topic for another day.

Now, back to the lesson at hand: definitions! I'm pretty sure when it comes to happiness, good fortune is an old-fashioned use of the word. While I do believe a lot of people (including me) are born in good situations that offer them a great deal of opportunity (if you don't believe me on this, check out Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers), I think happiness has a lot more to do with attitude than it does to do with fortune. I definitely think of the word "happiness" as a state of well-being, a state in which your mind is happy, healthy, and prospering with positive thoughts.  

Some things I love about the word "positive":

• it relates to a motion that is certain in its action,
• it's expressed clearly,
• it's independent of changing circumstances,
• it's not fictitious,
• it's active in a social function,
• it contributes to progression,
• it's moving towards a source of stimulation,
• it's real
• it's marked by optimism

Okay, I know I'm taking some liberties with those definitions, but I think it's important to realize that positivity is real. It is something that can be expressed clearly on a daily basis, regardless of the circumstances changing all around us. A positive attitude contributes to the progress of our own well-being and it moves us towards better, more stimulating life experiences.

Some things I love about the word "present":

• it's a gift
• it means to aim to face a particular direction
• it's happening right now
• it's attentive

To be present, we have to be in tune with the world around us. We have to be in the moment and participate fully. I love that present also means to face a particular direction. In each moment, we choose what direct we want to face, what outlook we want to have on life.

I really enjoyed looking up these words -- words that I use every day -- and thinking about what they really mean. Think about the words you use every day. What do they really mean? A quick peek at Merriam-Webster might surprise you!

Comments

[Hilda]

I so agree with you about happiness being about attitude rather than fortune.

Attitude enables us to appreciate the good times and deal with the bad times. We could have all the good fortune in the world, but if our outlook is negative it won't do us any good. If our outlook is positive, we can actually be happy even when "bad" stuff is going on in our lives.

[jessica]

I keep a list of pretty words and and even fragments of a sentence. I know that "favored by luck or fortune" has to be added to that list.

I love it!

[Giovanna Garcia]

Be present is one of my favorite saying. Thank your for this post of beautiful wisdom.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[positively present]

Hilda - Happiness is definitely about attitude, and we need to have a good attitude in good AND in bad times (which is never easy!). I've had a lot of fortune in my life, but I spent a lot of time being negative and unhappy. I don't have any more good fortune than I did before, but now that I'm working on changing my attitude, I am a MUCH happier person.

Jessica - Oh, I love that idea! I am definitely a lover of words so it would be great to have a list of words or phrases. (I have a collection of quotes, but phrases/words are different...simpler...) Thanks for the suggestion!

Giovanna - You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by Positively Present. :)