Happiness, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a “state of well-being and contentment.”
Many sources, such as Google or a dictionary, have a very vague interpretation of happiness. They are defined and followed by a long list of synonyms for the word happiness. These synonyms, such as joy, bliss, delight, and etc., are all different sensations that are all a part of the true meaning of the word happiness. Happiness is a very unique feeling that everyone wants, but it is also the most difficult to achieve. Someone’s happiness can vary day by day. It is not a constant feeling that just stays once you achieve that state. Something that made you happy today will not necessarily make you happy tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. Every person has a different meaning of what happiness really is and that’s what makes the word so unique. It’s a feeling that can be felt by you and at the same time can’t be felt by others. The meaning of the word can also change everyday. Your definition of happiness now can be different from your definition in a few months. There are also different ways you can experience happiness. It can be short-term or long-term. Short-term happiness happens when our brain releases an organic chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is only released depending on a single event that is why it is only temporary. As soon as the event is done, the pleasure, which is stimulated, is no longer present. Long-term happiness is somewhat harder to clarify in light of the fact that it revolves around different ideas of happiness. Satisfaction and contentment are
ideas that make up long-term happiness rather than joy and bliss. Long-term happiness is
achieved by feeling happy about your motivation in your everyday life. This could be a purpose
or the triumphs that you've had as well as the fulfillment of what your identity is and what you've
achieved in life. It is based on concepts that are not made by a solitary occasion. Seeking after
only momentary bliss does not prompt a manageable cheerful life and it does not mean that you
will achieve long-term happiness. Spending your whole life trying to plan for the future, making
sacrifices, and working very hard to achieve your dreams can sound like a logical idea. You may
feel pleased with the advancement you're making, but are you really happy? Like genuinely?
What if you get in a car accident today or tomorrow? Would you have second thoughts with how
you’ve worked so hard to find happiness? What’s the purpose of putting yourself through this if
you’re not really happy? You can only live a happy life if you effectively seek after both
short-term and long-term happiness. You have to discover what makes you happy, and how you
need to seek after it. It is also important to create a balance in order to live happily. Happiness
can be sought after but most people believe that by pursuing long-term happiness, they are giving
up their short-term happiness. This can be true in a way, but you just have to find the perfect
balance in order to achieve both. Finding your own happiness is unique to you. Nobody else but
you, should know what makes you happy.
Work Cited
“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 13 Feb. 2020.
“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 13 Feb. 2020.
This was a very real piece and it made me stop and think. I liked the serious tone, because it helps the readers think more of themselves than just simply reading a piece. It was well written and thanks for writing :) -Marisa
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job at the part where you compare the difference between short and long term happiness, scientifically and the idea of happiness. Great job! - Nathan
ReplyDeleteI like the part where you said people's definition of happiness changes over time. Personally, when I think of happy moments, it's the short-term ones like getting my to-do list completed. Long-term happiness is hard to think of specifics because it's just a general feeling over time. But, your definition of how long-term happiness is achieved sums up how it feels very well.
ReplyDeleteI like how you express that happiness is never just one thing in these many people but everyone views happiness differently. You question whether people can all acheive long term happiness and the thoughts that go into being happy without any actions taking place. Its nice to hear that everyones happiness is different and achieved differently and not only that but that if you haven't achieved happiness there is always time to find happiness within yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very thought provoking piece to read, the use of rhetorical questions really support your message and importance of finding your own personal happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe necessity to balance between long term and short term happiness is important, but is not as easy as it seems. This topic was a great read, especially for high school students who tend to live for short term happiness, and tend to forget the importance of working hard for long term happiness. Amazing piece ate J :)
ReplyDeleteThis piece really does make you think. It's interesting because usually happiness is a more light hearted subject but here you took a serious stand on it. You're right though, people happiness does change over time. -Joy Campbell
ReplyDelete"Seeking after only momentary bliss does not prompt a manageable cheerful life and it does not mean that you will achieve long-term happiness."
ReplyDeleteI liked this line and it reminds me like to be happy must be an inside victory, not a response to outside events. This piece reminded me that happiness comes from the inside, not from the outside. Thanks!!
By defining "happiness" if multiple ways, including sources that "define" happiness, allows us as the reader to feel empowered and in control of how we define emotions. This was a delight reminder to consider when reading your piece.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you compared the concepts of short term and long term happiness and how it changes as you experience things over time. Your piece mad me think about my own concept of happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of your blog made me stop and think about how happiness is applicable in my life. I like how you explored both short term and long term happiness within your piece to further define the word. I especially enjoyed the conclusion and gave the reader much to ponder on. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I really liked how you emphasized the importance of achieving happiness in the short-term as well as the long-term. I think we often forget that some of the actions that we take, thinking they'll make us happy, will only last for a brief moment. -Destiny Okonkwo
ReplyDeleteI really liked this piece! I loved your whole concept of fulfilling your identity and basically living life to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteAmazing use of the dictionary definition to the philosophical questioning of what happiness truly is. It provokes the reader to define the word and feeling for themselves. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on happiness really put me into perspective. I have realized that it is better to live in the moment sometimes, rather than just overworking myself for the end results. The structure of your piece flowed very naturally making it much more enjoyable to read
ReplyDelete- Andrea Sordo
Great use of breaking down the different types of happiness. I liked how you encourage the reader at the end to help find their own happiness.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated the idea you explained that it is a balance of both long-term and short-term happiness. Your writing and development was great! Loved this piece. Great job!
ReplyDeleteJeryn, I throughly enjoyed this piece by questioning the interpretation of happiness by using thoughts about long-term happiness and comparing it to short-term happiness how one has something the other one doesn't have. Great piece!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the positive message that came with this piece. I liked how it essentially states that we are all happy in our own way, and we shouldn't be comparing that with others. -- Gilberto Diaz
ReplyDeleteI thought the your use of tone and use of the actual definitions allowed for a deeper and much more philisophical thinking toward happiness and i truly enjoyed this piece.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this piece! I liked how you gave such a clear definition to the abstract idea of happiness and what it means to you.-Jeovany Ventura
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your analysis of the various types of happiness that people can feel. I agree with your philosophy of happiness expressed towards the end of the piece, saying that one must seek to find happiness both in short term and long term via joy and fulfillment being intertwined. -Diego Olmos
ReplyDelete"Finding your own happiness is unique to you." I feel like a lot of people forget about this and its an important reminder for everyone. I really enjoyed this piece because it really made me stop and think and even reread a couple parts of this piece. - Isabella per. 5
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your piece, I loved how you were able to make me stop and think about how important it is to achieve true happiness in life
ReplyDeleteYour questions made me question myself about what happiness is in my life. Not only did you do so, but you gave the reminder that only we can give that answer to ourselves not others. I liked that you were also able to provide your own research. - Saidy G
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting piece because you questioned the idea of happiness. Happiness comes in many forms and you went into detail about the difference between long term and short term happiness. Good job! - Melanie Viernes
ReplyDeleteThe extent to which you explored the topic of happiness offered me the chance to both learn to better define it and also reflect in a way I don't find myself doing often. Well done!
ReplyDelete- Andrew Kim
Great job with this piece, I think you did a great job of defining what true happiness is while also identifying all the ways it can be confused with momentary happiness. I think as young people, we generally dont always understand the difference because we are all still too young, however, I think that you really opened up your audiences eyes to see the difference and the opportunity to truly understand what it means to be happy.
ReplyDeleteI liked the topic about happiness because I feel that like you said sometimes happiness can come in months. It's like as when some people fake being happy, just because they don't want people to know there business of them being sad or showing the emotional state. I liked that you emphasized on short-term happiness like relationships, not all of them last throughout your lifetime but for that short time, was it really worth it? Just to feel something. I enjoyed this piece!!
ReplyDelete