definitions of happiness

On Tuesday, I found myself discussing happiness with a group of friends. How we define it, what it means for us, how we know we're happy.

For L, it was about choice, pure and simple. Happiness is the freedom to choose. With all the prerequisites that implies: physical mobility, material resources, mental health, political security.

For C, it was a balance of four things. First, a home - a place in the world where you feel you belong, a living environment you've created that nurtures you. Second, work that keeps you interested, alive, growing. Third, intimacy, love, connection. Fourth, a space for solitude in your life, where you renew yourself.

When it came to my turn, I said, it's about being on purpose. Feeling fully alive, whatever I'm doing.