How do you find happiness?

Recently I posed the following question through Facebook, Twitter and email list.

How do you find happiness?

The answers that were received varied in their length & content. Each person, has a unique way of finding happiness; and it showed in their writing. Different things make different people click. Isn’t it fantastic?!

Answers from the bloggers.

“When you are happy with what you’ve got.” – Marlene

“Stop looking for it.” – Lex of LexZyne News

“I find happiness in hearing from my new friend, Christian Hollingsworth!” – Roger Stanton of WebPro360

“Mental stimulation, good times with good friends, good food & drink, good sex & more of the above…” – Lars Pellinat

“I find happiness in snuggling with my sons at night.” – Rebbetzin Tap

“Fresh baked bread, my son’s laughter, canoeing in Quetico wilderness, and paying compliments.” – Nicole LeDuc Meehan

“Writing and painting — making things — I was created to create. Also, loving others as they need to be loved, usually a different way than *I* need, so not a natural behavior for me.” – Courtney Cantrell of Court Can Write

“I learned a long while ago that happiness is about “happenings” so it can be fleeting. Depending what is going on in my life. And as I’ve said before, I’m much older than your parents so I’ve lived on this earth for a long time. So can think of lots of situations that made me “happy.” However, when I think of joy, I know that is something that is deep within and has nothing to do with what is going on round me. So it is lasting and for me it comes from my faith. That just grows deeper each day and gives me purpose in life and direction for living.” – Patricia Millman of Lavender Uses

“It’s the little things: Looking my wife in the eyes and connecting. Tickling my children. Allowing the little rascals and their friends to attack me with snowballs. Learning. Telling a friend they matter. Having a friend tell me, I matter. Connecting beyond simple hello’s with people like you. Smelling the Wedgewood Blue lilac bush. Spying a goldfinch as it is flitting away. Being grateful for another day to try and get a little better. It’s the little things: Gratitude, giving, loving, sharing, growing that matter to me. That is how I have found and continue to find happiness.” – Rob of Today Has Power

The Takeaway

I think naturally some are given the gift of happiness. Some arrive here on earth with happiness running through their veins. That’s not to say you can’t choose to be happy also. Many make that choice daily; despite their circumstance and situation.

My questions for you go as follows:

How do you find happiness?
What things bring “lasting” happiness?
Are you “naturally” happy?

What strikes me interesting, is that all of these bloggers didn’t respond with blogging as their source of happiness. They find it in other ways. That leads me to believe that blogging is the means by which they’re sharing their well-lived lives – and not the reverse. I like that.