Quotes Defining Happiness

If you do a Google search you will find plenty of quotes on the topic of happiness. Some read like a definition or are about searching for happiness and I have chosen a few of those.

Much is written about happiness and ways to become happier these days but perhaps trying harder to be happy by striving for things and pushing ourselves isn't the answer. Maybe one can be happier though by letting some things go, forgiving, breathing deeply, feeling gratitude and such.

Some people feel they will be happier if they are doing more, going to exciting places with high energy people. Perhaps an extrovert will feel happier in this type of setting, I can't say from personal experience, not being an extrovert myself. I tend to be happiest in a quiet environment, either on my own or with one friend who isn't too excitable.

People are different so will find happiness in different ways and in different environments. This may be why these quotes on happiness are varied.

Acceptance
I came across the quote, 'Happiness is acceptance,' but the author is unknown. Some people feel if you accept how you are feeling at a particular time you will feel happier than if you try to be happy. If you can accept what is happening in your life, especially things over which you have no control, you are likely to feel better than if you fight circumstances.

Good health and a bad memory
'Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory,' according to Albert Schweitzer, well known as a writer, philosopher, theologian and humanitarian. Having good physical and mental health makes it easier to be happy. However, some people who experience considerable physical pain or have a terminal illness do still manage to be happy, perhaps with the help of meditation, deep breathing, some form of therapy, comfort from others or medication.

I am guessing Albert Schweitzer was referring to the ability to forgive and forget when he said a bad memory helped a person be happy.

Happiness is rarely where we seek it
"Happiness is where we find it, but very rarely where we seek it, " according to J. Petit Senn, a poet born in 1792.

Happiness is a butterfly
'Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.' This quote is sometimes attributed to American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who lived from 1804 to 1864. There is controversy over the origin of the quote and there are other variations of it. I love the analogy and I also love butterflies, they make me happy. I think the quote intends to convey a similar meaning to the previous one.


Wishing to be happier doesn't result in greater happiness
'We are no longer happy so soon as we wish to be happier,' said poet and writer, Walter Savage Landor, born back in 1775. Did Landor mean a person should feel gratitude for what they have rather than wishing for different circumstances?

It's nice to feel happy but one won't feel happy all the time. Other emotions are important too, even the less pleasant ones. For more about happiness check out Identifying Your Happiness Triggers

#_Emotions
#_Feelings
#_Happiness
#_Quotes

%selfavenue