Happiness is a positive feeling. Age and culture tend to define them slightly different-older aged adults tend to define happiness as "peaceful" and "calm" while children and young adults tend to define happiness as being "excited." While not everyone is born with a sunny disposition, psychology experts agree that we can all learn how to bring more satisfaction to our lives. For this little girl all it takes is a pair of swimming goggles and a sunny day outside (no need for a pool!). Man's desire for happiness is universal and the strive for it is innate. Actually attaining it is obviously is in the eye of the beholder.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher in the study of happiness and the author of The How of Happiness, suggests that genetics influences 50% of our happiness. Extraneous factors such as income, looks, and marital status influence 10%, and the final 30% is influenced by factors that we control. In other words, the activities and actions we carry out to purposely affect our level of happiness (hobbies, volunteering, social activities, maintaining a balance between work, play, religion, etc.). Of course there are a number of variables I could discuss in regards to happiness. Political systems, metacognition, cultural nuances, process, purpose, and some interesting brain imaging on the prefrontal cortex, all influence what one might define as happiness. However, of all the research, what I find to be the most consistent factor in attaining happiness is also one of the most wonderful characteristics of my Lu-Lu girl. She has a natural ability for what psychologists call "mindfulness." She lives in the moment and she savors it. She is silly and goofy and it brings her a certain happiness.
For many, mindfulness is a skill that has to be deliberately practiced before it can become instinctive. So as you begin your day tomorrow (and the next, and the day after that, and the day after that...) put on your goggles. Make it a goal to be mindful of what is positive at three different instances in your day. Soon you won't have to think about it. Soon you can be silly like no one is watching. Soon you can live in the moment and be "happy."