Essentials of Happiness

As I sat in the audience during the 2015 International Policy Conference: The Essentials of Happiness, I listened to multiple speakers lecturing about their careers. These lectures were filled with passion and commitment about their line of work, and the happiness it has generated throughout their life. The one sentence that resonated with me that rainy Thursday afternoon is, “Happiness is personally defined.” My own mind began to wonder, what makes me truly happy? As a twenty-two year old young woman, with her whole life and career ahead of her, I do not think I have ever asked myself that question.

So here it goes, how do I define happiness? Ten years ago, I would have said cheering on the sideline at a Friday night football game or driving with the windows down blaring country music on a backcountry road.   However, my happiness seems to be ever changing. In today’s world, my happiness can be defined as a bit more mature, focused and goal-orientated. My happiness is defined in my success and sometimes even in my failures. It can be the sound of laughter, crowded dinner tables or the smell of pumpkin filling a room. It is the rush you get when you finally reach a goal or the feeling you get when you make someone laugh. It is the butterflies in your stomach when you see someone special. My happiness is found in the crazy and hectic moments surrounded by people you care about. My happiness is found in life’s chaos.

The speakers came from all walks of life. Their career paths were diverse ranging from a social worker, dedicating his career to the reentry of inmates, to an herbalist with a passion for farming and religion. However, one theme was relevant no matter the occupation, their happiness.  The speakers all shared a mutual happiness; they all had been able to find happiness through their career. Some knew their paths from the beginning and others changed paths along the way. The happiness in their voice that has played over and over again in my head was inspiring and motivating.

I want that speaker that spoke with so much happiness about his work to be me someday.  I want to be a clinical child psychologist that changes the world. I want my life and my career to be defined by happiness.  

I believe in happiness. I believe in following your dreams, and I believe those dreams are going to lead me to a life full of happiness. That is what I took from the Essential of Happiness Conference.  Happiness is personally defined, ever changing, and adjustable. But the real question is, how do you define happiness?