guroth ol' boy, i agree with u when u said happiness is a feeling. but first, let me re-state the topic.

[color:"yellow"] What is happiness? And how do you become happy? What are the main criterion for happiness? Is it owning a lot of money, having a lot of friends, being healthy, haveing a flourishing lovelife etc?
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happiness, as what kiya said, is a multi-faceted thing. thing means concept, state of mind/being, feeling, etc.

first let's go to the part of feeling. happiness is a feeling. & feeling is an indication of your emotional state. & emotional state is part of your being, meaning what/how u feel is an indication of your emotional health. there are people who are so stressed out, they get sick & there's nothing wrong with the body. mind over matter. in terms of influence, our minds are much greater & significant than our bodies. when we feel down, the body goes with it. however, if the mind is formidable though the body is sick, there will always be a good chance that the mind will not be as easily affected & even conquer the bodily ailments. kiya's best friend is the proof. her emotional health is overpowering her physical state that whatever happens, she's always positive & happy.

how do i become happy? first i must know sadness to discern the difference. in my past personal experience, i was too close to the point of no return in my unhealthy emotional state & having a healthy body did not make it any better. in fact, the mind drags the body down. coming to terms, realising the extent of my own self & limitation, i see who i am in terms of influence, relationship, all that point to value of self with emphasis on consequence. i learn & became more aware of who i am. strength, weakness, qualities, quirks, habits, tendencies, tastes, etc. this is exactly as what Kyra has said; know thyself. that i feel is the best answer to this topic. otherwise, how can u be what u don't know? unless u're being led to it unwarily, of course.

for me happiness is fulfilling your purpose. your purpose is according to your own definition.

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