Do We Have Control Over Our Own Happiness - 1904 Words

Do We Have Control Over Our Own Happiness? In the U.S. Declaration of Independence the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental right, but what exactly is happiness? According to Webster s happiness is defined as a mental or emotional state of well being by positive emotions ranging from contentment to joy. But if we considered happiness as a trait rather than a transient state of being, than happiness wouldn’t be considered â€Å"joyful† or even feeling content with life. Instead happiness would perhaps include a sense of hopefulness and serenity and would be looked at as more of a contributor to one’s happiness. Ed Diener is a psychologist and a professor at University of Illinois and was the first person to identify the contributing factors to happiness and speaks about it in his book Happiness. Diener explains that happiness does matter in many different ways and uses three decades of research to explain happiness, suggesting that,â€Å"There is preliminary evidence that people who score higher on the well-being scales have better social and work relationships; make more money, live longer, healthier lives, and are more contributory societal citizens†(Conkle). Happiness comes in many different forms depending on the person. Family, friends, health, peace and values can all mean something to someone s happiness but that doesn t necessarily mean it’s a contributing factor(Tamayo). The extent of happiness is determined on not only actions but contributions, therefore if theseShow MoreRelatedThe Interpretation Of Fulfillment And Fulfillment1553 Words   |  7 PagesOur Interpretation of Fulfillment Everyone wishes to achieve complete fulfillment, but what makes up fulfillment for each person often differs. 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Among these are â€Å"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.† Probably one of the most famous lines in American history, I have chosen to focus on this phrase and what those three things might have meant to Thomas Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers as they prepared this document, as well as what they mean to us today. First, Jefferson states that every man has theRead More10 Habits Of Happy People1179 Words   |  5 Pages10 Habits of Happy People! Do you know this? Somewhere within each of us, there exists a supreme self who is always at eternal peace. This means, however difficult or dire your situation is, there always is a source in your own self to derive solace from. In other words, each one can and has to find his/her peace from within. This peace is real and cannot be affected by outside circumstances. Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good, the supreme of which is