The word happiness is generally used in the broader context of emotional or mental states, which include pleasant or positive feelings ranging from peace to extreme happiness. However, it is also used as a description of the process of experiencing and expressing pleasure. For many philosophers, happiness refers to a state of well being. Others believe that happiness can be defined as the condition of living an active and meaningful life. Still, others believe that happiness can be achieved through the accomplishment of the person's aspirations, ambitions, and purposes.
For philosophers, happiness and the absence of pain are two sides of the same coin. According to Aristotle, pleasure is the main source of happiness. In his opinion, true happiness consists of the enjoyment one gets from the pursuit of pleasure. Pleasure is described by the following virtues: Friendship, generosity, virtue, and magnanimity. Friendship is the quality of being able to share experiences and good times with others, and generosity involves sharing your blessings with those who need and deserve it most.
In contrast, Aristotle argued that true happiness and virtue do not depend on the pleasures people derive from life. He explained that virtues lead to a happy, meaningful life by providing us with the resources for having these experiences. The most fundamental characteristic of a virtue is its ability to generate strength in its bearer. In Aristotle's view, virtues are the means by which we can acquire and enhance our strengths. In this way, strengthening one's strengths helps attain happiness.
According to Halliday, happiness is the state of knowing and being aware of one's own strength and knowing that you are a powerful individual capable of enduring the stresses and strains of life. Halliday further explained that strong positive emotions are the major factors responsible for producing strength in a person and he explained that positive emotions are the primary factors that contribute to happiness. Positive emotions are considered to be the key components of an enjoyable and successful life. Positive emotions provide the necessary 'push' to help a person to excel and lead a happy and meaningful life.
Halliday added that pleasure is another important factor to define happiness because pleasure is defined as the joy you get from the experience of life. If you have experienced an overwhelming sense of pleasure, then you are undoubtedly enjoying and living with happiness. On the other hand, if you feel unhappy and disconnected from the things you do for a living, then you are living with the dread of not enjoying anything. These two contrasting feelings, among others, are the main factors that affect people's happiness and Halliday said that negative emotions greatly affect the level and quality of pleasure in life.
According to Halliday, the key to happiness is knowing and choosing what is significant in your life. Once you choose what is most significant in your life, you will find that you lead a happier, more fulfilling and rewarding existence. Satisfaction is the key to greater sense of pleasure and fulfillment and living a meaningful life is the first step toward this fulfillment.
However, fulfillment will only come when you learn to manage the negative aspects of happiness and fulfillment. As Halliday states "Happiness does not come when you decide what is most important in your life but when you learn to use your strengths to make the right choices". One's strengths and gifts are crucial in helping one to live a meaningful life. In order to gain the greatest happiness and fulfillment, take time to develop and strengthen your personal strengths such as your creativity, your commitment to service, and your self-discipline.
Self-esteem, personal growth, and optimism are also important in helping you live a more meaningful life. Halliday wrote that our "freedoms and privileges" came with two major downsides: the limitations we have in how we view ourselves and the hardships we encounter along the way. The goal is to use these obstacles to grow and change so that we can overcome them and become stronger. This is why Halliday encourages "an optimism that will help us overcome negativity and tragedy and grief". This personal growth and development plan are important for happiness and fulfillment.
