Happiness

Happiness and Us

Happiness. People use it to deceive themselves, to prove the supposed goodness of bad things.

'Happiness comes from good things.'
+ 'This makes me happy.'
= 'This must be good.'

Happiness does not always come from good things.
People also draw strength from it, a sort of emotional security. Unfortunately, happiness is very illusive; it vanishes, and you don't even know why. Or, is it a result of the choice to hope and not despair?

Despair.....x.....Hope
/........................\
V.........................V
'Utter grief'................... 'Happiness'

Happiness' Source
Is happiness merely an illusive emotion, or is it the result of a choice? What is its source? I think ability to be happy comes from 1 source, but happiness itself is triggered by several sources.
For example, music brings about the heightening of many emotions, especially happiness.
Another example: when a friend smiles because they are glad to see you, you are a source of happiness for them.

Mapping out Happiness
Happiness has many flavors, tones, shades. I like to think that happiness is rather like the spectrum of visible light rays.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

At the red end 'fun', in the yellow is what people usually think of when they think of happiness. At the purple end is 'contentment'.
The 'fun' is giggly goofiness that little kids like. 'I'm having so much fun! Yeah!'
The yellow is where most adults are when they are telling themselves, 'I am happy= this is good.'
The purple is the deep happiness, rooted in hope. This is the happiness that is chosen, the happiness that despair tries to erode.
More on Happiness later.