According to Wikipedia:
"Happiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy." Definitions vary between philosophers and religious leaders. They all conclude that happiness is a state of mind.
Notice the wording, "mental state." This would infers that happiness has nothing to do with anything outside of our own thinking pattern. Actually, I tend to agree with this definition.
For instance, I think we can be poor has a cleaned off corn cob and still be happy. It is all a matter of how you think about yourself and your circumstances. Certainly this might not be the easiest emotion to have when you don't have enough money to buy food to feed your family or pay your bills so the collection folks will leave you alone. But, those things are outside tragedies just trying to keep you from being content and happy with yourself.
You see, happiness has to do with how we perceive our self. It is a inner personal thing. Not something outside of our minds that influences our lives. Does that make sense?
"The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being."
- Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lamat
You have total control of your own happiness! Be sure to use this control.
