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Happiness: How is it defined socially? Has the definition changed?

Happiness

Introduction
The quest for happiness and its meaning has been pondered by one all. Be it ancient Greeks,
Buddhists to philosophers, innumerable debate has been on happiness and its determinants.
Happiness can be stated as a state of mind that is functioned by the positive or pleasant
impact. It provides strong satisfaction and a great level of joy. There are various factors that
plays a pre dominant role in bringing happiness and that range from biological to
philosophical approaches. This has led to a considerable attention on the science of happiness
in the past decade. Happiness is a strong concept that plays a vital role in defining the
lifestyle and has different meaning to different people. In social terms, happiness is
something that provides a mental state to people where they are influenced with good feelings
and mental harmony (Iyengar, 2010). Some defines happiness with the intentional activities
while others relate it with the outer world.

Change in the concept of happiness


With the due passage of time, the concept of happiness has undergone a vast change. When it
comes to the younger generation, people link happiness with excitement while other links it
with peace. The change has happened by dint of increased feelings and a sense of attachment
towards inner peace. Some opine the fact that happiness is linked to materiality and it
signifies the materialistic world. However, when it comes to the real scenario, happiness is
dynamic and has different meaning. It is strongly related to the physical health. Various
surveys have been done that indicated that health and happiness are two sides of the same
coin. Very few stated themselves as healthy and unhappy. The identification also plays a vital
role when it comes to happiness. A recent happening where the Taiwanese, as well as
American students were asked to select a smiley face between a wide-open mouth and a calm
one. It was observed that the European-American kids selected the smiley that was excited in
nature and the Taiwanese selected the calm one. This projected that the Taiwan children had a
calm character while the European-American was excited in nature (Iyengar, 2010). Two
different concepts are highlighted here and the happiness factor can be linked to the frame of
mind. It is clear that sixty per cent of happiness depends on the situation that we are in and
another forty per cent from the intentional activities.

Happiness

It is a common parlance that when people feel good, the feelings they vouch for reside on the
condition that they perceive and want to feel. In short, these are the standard facts. Individual,
as well as cultural differences signify what people choose when they have a good feeling or
stop feeling bad. When it comes to the comparison form, it can be said that the Americans
have a vibrant and excited feelings while the Taiwanese are calm and composed in nature.
This explains the segment that why some are happy with the smallest of things and why some
are eagerly watching out for materialistic happiness.

Happiness a national policy


In the current scenario, happiness has become a mass campaign. Various studies have been
proposed related to happiness and much has been proposed to think more about Gross
Domestic happiness. Previously, happiness was more concerned with the individual wellbeing that has been replaced by the overall well being and happiness. The policy of happiness
is now structured on four major pillars that is equitable growth, conservation of the
environment, preservation of the culture and good government (Robards, 2014). Through
this, an increment of happiness is observed. Happiness can be evaluated and measured by the
level of engagement. It is the state when a person is engaged and entangled in an activity.
Long back, the activity and the work was seen from a different point of view where happiness
was missing owing to the state of mind. On the contrary, the present generation is engaged in
the work and has a good balance level with the work. This fetch them happiness. It is doing
the work and generating happiness. This has been the major recipe for the young generation
and hence the scope of happiness increased rapidly. Moreover, a growing act of hobbies has
helped people in gaining a strong state of happiness. Routine work provides happiness and
hobbies tend to accelerate it. The flow of happiness is high when there is a strong match
between the strength and the task that is undertaken (Radcliff, 2013).

Growing concern for others


It has come to the limelight that happiness is at its prime when there is larger meaning. This
has changed the definition of happiness and provided a great support. People have become
broader in their outlook and volunteer various activities that provide them a strong sense of
happiness. This happiness is not concerned with the joy of getting happiness in any
materialistic form, but is concerned with an inner happiness (Radcliff, 2013). This provides a
regular experience and a feel good factor. It is living up to the moral and doing what matters
the most. This keeps the people connected and provides a meaningful action. It has come to
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Happiness

the forefront that to have a meaningful and a happy life, it is essential to connect to the outer
world and perform. True happiness consists in a life that is active and has an intrinsic
meaning.
The concept of attaining happiness with money has undergone a sea change. There is a huge
drift in the fact that giving money leads to happiness. People get happiness when they spend
on others especially on the ones who are needy and require help. In short, the volunteer work
has gained a prominent place in the society because it is connected with the real happiness
(Markus & Schwartz, 2010). This signifies that once the personal objectives are linked to the
meaning in the world, happiness is reaped on a larger scale. In the present scenario, little
things have led to bigger happiness.
Act of happiness is redefined and is majorly aligned to the activities that one performs. It is
not constrained in any manner. What matters is the level of happiness that is reaped by the
activities. Focussing only on a particular domain will lead to a strong state of happiness.
Moreover, a major shift is seen in the thinking of the individuals and so the definition of
happiness has undergone a sea change. It is not constant in nature or clubbed with any
activity. Real happiness consists in doing the activity and enjoying it (Robards, 2014). The
interaction with friends, relatives, etc. also plays a vital part in achieving happiness.

Happiness

Conclusion
Happiness is like a butterfly and everyone vouches for it. In short, the desire for happiness is
universal in nature and the inability to find happiness has more to do with the individual
factor. It is not desirable to stop chasing happiness; however, the best thing that can be done
is to seek happiness at every stage of life by enjoying the work. Therefore, going by the past
decade it is seen that individuals have framed the concept of happiness in a better fashion and
the same has provided significant result. This has influenced the individual well-being and
even the community at large.

Happiness

References
Iyengar, Sheena. (2010). The Art of Choosing. New York: Twelve.
Markus, Hazel Rose & Schwartz, Barry. (2010). Does Choice Mean Freedom and WellBeing? Journal of Consumer Research, 37, 46-92
Radcliff, Benjamin. (2013). The Political Economy of Human Happiness New York:
Cambridge University Press.
Robards, Fiona. (2014). What makes you happy?. Exisle Publishing.

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