What is happiness?

What is happiness? Happiness is a state of being happy and contented. Some people live their lives being happy, while some do not. There might be a few factors which might make you happy. People experience happiness either when they have money or when they have the love they desire from others or even when they are happy with their appearance. However, have they ever thought of what true happiness is? Have they ever thought whether they are really happy? Have they ever thought of what truly makes them happy? I will be discussing more about what is true happiness.

Recently, materialistic people are more prevalent. They get the happiness they desire when they achieve what they want. These people normally want to lead a luxurious life and their need for these items will last forever. This type of happiness is only temporary and will not last long. For example, some people are so materialistic that they want and desire all the new items as they are very popular at that time or these people want to boast to others and let others think that you are very wealthy to gain more friends. When they get their desired items, they are happy. However, when a new model of the item they just bought comes out, you will no longer be popular among your friends as your item will not be popular anymore. Furthermore, if these people's parents decline their requests to have the new models of the items, they will no longer be happy and will forever lead a bitter life. Therefore, materialistic people are happy only sometimes and it is just temporary.

On the other hand, many people are particular about their appearance. They become happy only when they feel that they look good. Although it is a good thing that people keep their appearances good, it is bad to be too particular about it. People who are too particular about their appearance might spent hours in front of the mirror trying to put on some make-up, etc. However, this is actually a complete waste of time. Have they ever thought of how many things they could have accomplished in this time? But, I have to admit that maintaining a presentable appearance is important. Nowadays, looks and what you wear is important in a job interview. For example, if you see a man coming to a job interview with a torn and tattered shirt and another man coming to the interview wearing a business suit which is well-maintained, who will you rather choose for the job? Another example is the recent "Britain's got talent". When Susan Boyle came on stage for her first time wearing her village clothes and said that she wanted to be a professional singer, the spectators were in shock and were all laughing at her. Even the judges were sort of laughing at her. This is why wearing a presentable attire is important, but if you spend too much time on it and overdo it, it will not be as good anymore. Therefore, being happy when you fell that you look is actually a good thing and a bad thing. A good thing in the sense that you will be presentable in front of your peers, etc. A bad thing in the sense that you might spend too much time on it or even overdo it.

Lastly, some people are also happy when they have their family beside them. This type of people are those who know how to cherish those around them. As long as they have their loved ones by their side, they will feel happy and not complain about anything else. They do not crave for anything else except for the love from their loved ones. This, is what I call true happiness. This type of happiness will be with you forever and you will die with no regrets, having lived your life to the fullest with your family. Even when your loved ones die, you will of course feel sad, but happy that you spent so much time with them that you won't have any regrets.

I feel that true happiness lasts forever. However, it is something you must definitely pursue. An example will be the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness". It is about this man, Chris Gardner, fighting his way to get a job and to raise his son. After fighting for it, he finally was able to make it rich and not be a homeless man anymore. The example of him not letting setbacks affect him is a perfect example as well. A man pursuing happiness should not let small setbacks affect him. Once he has set his goal for his happiness, he has to accomplish it. Well, I feel that true happiness comes when you have your family by your side, no matter if you are poor or rich. Some of you might not agree with me that this is true happiness but to me, it is. I feel happy when I have my family by my side and have their utmost support. Therefore, this is, to me, true happiness.