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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2026 13 By Janet Boyce, Resident At its core, happiness is a state of well-being that includes the following: 1) positive emotions such as joy, contentment, and peace, 2) a sense that life is meaningful or worthwhile, and 3) satisfaction with one's life overall. Happiness is one of those ideas that everyone feels, but dening it precisely has kept philosophers, scientists, and cultures curious for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, Aristotle believed that happiness was the highest form of human good. He taught that true happiness comes from living a virtuous life — not just chasing pleasure. According to the religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, happiness is tied to inner peace, and the freedom from desire and attachment. e belief is that suering comes from craving, and happiness results from letting go. During the 1600s and 1700s, happiness became linked to individual rights and freedom. People had the right to seek happiness. is idea inuenced the phrase, "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." It's a simple but profound statement. In modern psychology, researchers now study happiness scientically. Martin Seligman helped found positive psychology by focusing on what makes life worth living. He developed the PERMA Model: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Cultural dierences also play a role in what it means to be happy. Western cultures oen emphasize personal achievement and individual joy, whereas Eastern cultures tend to focus on harmony, balance, and community. ere are six key factors that help increase happiness, according to research. Strong relationships are the number one factor. is includes close friendships and family bonds. e second is purpose and meaning, the condition of feeling useful, needed, or connected to something bigger than oneself. is would include volunteering, mentoring, and creative pursuits. e third factor is gratitude and perspective. When you make a point of noticing what's good in your life, your feelings of contentment increase. When you feel gratitude toward something, it shis your mood to a positive state of being. Physical well-being is the fourth factor, and refers to activities like walking, dancing, and other forms of exercise. Your mood is strongly aected by sleep, movement, and nutrition. e h factor is engagement, which refers to the ow of your life. It's being deeply absorbed in something enjoyable. e nal, sixth factor that increases your happiness is letting go of comparison. When we constantly compare ourselves to others, this reduces our personal happiness. Pursuing a life of contentment oen paves the way to a happier life. Happiness isn't a constant state; it is built through small, meaningful moments over time. erefore, it's not something we have, but something we do. It's a way of living. Simply put, happiness isn't just feeling good in the moment. It's a feeling that your life matters, connects, and grows. May we all feel the joy of happiness! The State of Happiness