It’s one of the worst words in the dictionary to define.
The reason is understandable; it refers to an internal human experience, all of which to some extent are subjective.
It may be preferential, therefore, to use the word ‘happiness’ as an umbrella term. In doing so we can use it as a reference point, rather than a simple noun.
We could agree that to be happy is essentially to feel ‘well’; that is, the sense of living through a ‘good’ experience, or a ‘good’ life.
So, what constitutes a feeling of ‘wellness’? There are four key elements I suggest are not only essentially but primary in a life that can be described as happy.
1. Exhilaration
Let’s get the obvious out the way: The smiling face. There’s no doubt that laughter, liveliness, passion, zest and ecstasy are all feelings associated with happiness.
However, it’s vitally important to know this is the very tip of the iceberg. Experiences like this are wonderful but they are not all we are capable of knowing.