I've often wondered what it takes for different people to be "happy". I know people who never seem happy. No matter how good life is, they can't allow themselves to be happy. It is an odd word. Is it measured by contentment? Peace? Excess? Love?

My parents would tell me that it was my choice. No matter what was going on, being happy was my call every day. I could decide to be happy in spite of anything I felt or whatever reality I was facing.

As an adult I'm still unsure. I've met so many people who struggle with it. I know I have felt happy in moments. And for the most part I've been happy most of my days. I can always find something to drive a smile.

But what does happiness mean to you? Are you a happy person? Does being happy elude you?

My days have ups and downs... I think I can never be completely happy... The reason for that is beeing between two different worlds... My mother, my family and many friends live far away... That is one of my worlds... Here were I live, here are my kids and I have friends here too...That is my other world... Living here means beeing far from many people I love and who love me back... When I am there, I cherish every single moment with them, but then I miss my kids, my friends and my life here... And I am happy when everyone is healthy and ok... And when I have good days without pain... When my IBS is not killing me...I smile and laugh a lot...Even when I am sad, I smile... And I listen the music every day, the whole day... Music makes me very happy! Even the sad music which can bring tears, makes me happy...And when I play with my grandchildren, I am HAPPY and I am child again...

Denna (10205906) wrote:My days have ups and downs... I think I can never be completely happy... The reason for that is beeing between two different worlds... My mother, my family and many friends live far away... That is one of my worlds... Here were I live, here are my kids and I have friends here too...That is my other world... Living here means beeing far from many people I love and who love me back... When I am there, I cherish every single moment with them, but then I miss my kids, my friends and my life here... And I am happy when everyone is healthy and ok... And when I have good days without pain... When my IBS is not killing me...I smile and laugh a lot...Even when I am sad, I smile... And I listen the music every day, the whole day... Music makes me very happy! Even the sad music which can bring tears, makes me happy...And when I play with my grandchildren, I am HAPPY and I am child again...

I can't begin to imagine what it's like living thru a war, and I'm sorry it happened to you. You've come out strong!
I'm a happy person, I enjoy my family and hobbies and I love time alone. I don't let things get me down for long and I loath self pity. I'm very adaptable and I think I'd be happy living anywhere. I love music too, I like meaningful lyrics, most of my homes and rooms in Yo are named after a song.

Robyn VIP (8132649) wrote:

Denna (10205906) wrote:My days have ups and downs... I think I can never be completely happy... The reason for that is beeing between two different worlds... My mother, my family and many friends live far away... That is one of my worlds... Here were I live, here are my kids and I have friends here too...That is my other world... Living here means beeing far from many people I love and who love me back... When I am there, I cherish every single moment with them, but then I miss my kids, my friends and my life here... And I am happy when everyone is healthy and ok... And when I have good days without pain... When my IBS is not killing me...I smile and laugh a lot...Even when I am sad, I smile... And I listen the music every day, the whole day... Music makes me very happy! Even the sad music which can bring tears, makes me happy...And when I play with my grandchildren, I am HAPPY and I am child again...

I can't begin to imagine what it's like living thru a war, and I'm sorry it happened to you. You've come out strong!
I'm a happy person, I enjoy my family and hobbies and I love time alone. I don't let things get me down for long and I loath self pity. I'm very adaptable and I think I'd be happy living anywhere. I love music too, I like meaningful lyrics, most of my homes and rooms in Yo are named after a song.

Ty so vm for your kind words Robyn It was living hell and I used to say: I hope there will never be such a situation that brings us in danger... And look at what happens now? Sometimes I ask myself how much bad things can someone take in a life... Anyway, end of June I am plannig to see my sick mother and my family and I am preparing for a new, strange and not easy trip...

It is so great to read we share love for the music and for flowers too

Stay healthy and safe Robyn

Denna (10205906) wrote:

Robyn VIP (8132649) wrote:

Denna (10205906) wrote:My days have ups and downs... I think I can never be completely happy... The reason for that is beeing between two different worlds... My mother, my family and many friends live far away... That is one of my worlds... Here were I live, here are my kids and I have friends here too...That is my other world... Living here means beeing far from many people I love and who love me back... When I am there, I cherish every single moment with them, but then I miss my kids, my friends and my life here... And I am happy when everyone is healthy and ok... And when I have good days without pain... When my IBS is not killing me...I smile and laugh a lot...Even when I am sad, I smile... And I listen the music every day, the whole day... Music makes me very happy! Even the sad music which can bring tears, makes me happy...And when I play with my grandchildren, I am HAPPY and I am child again...

I can't begin to imagine what it's like living thru a war, and I'm sorry it happened to you. You've come out strong!
I'm a happy person, I enjoy my family and hobbies and I love time alone. I don't let things get me down for long and I loath self pity. I'm very adaptable and I think I'd be happy living anywhere. I love music too, I like meaningful lyrics, most of my homes and rooms in Yo are named after a song.

Ty so vm for your kind words Robyn It was living hell and I used to say: I hope there will never be such a situation that brings us in danger... And look at what happens now? Sometimes I ask myself how much bad things can someone take in a life... Anyway, end of June I am plannig to see my sick mother and my family and I am preparing for a new, strange and not easy trip...

It is so great to read we share love for the music and for flowers too

Stay healthy and safe Robyn

Thank you and I wish you all the best! The end of June will be here before we know it, I hope you have a nice visit with your Mother. I haven't seen mine in 18 years, I should make a trip too!

In my current State? It depends.


I do have hobbies, interests and other things to give my life joy and meaning, and outside of those? I wouldnt be happy, or in a good place without them. Its always good to have something to look forward to, or enjoy, even when you are not "feeling" it.

I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

You'll never find a bigger hearted guy than CD. Dude knows how to treat people right.

I'm glad you've found some light in your days. Everyone deserves to feel happy. I hope your days bring you more smiles

Rod (126579776) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

You'll never find a bigger hearted guy than CD. Dude knows how to treat people right.

I'm glad you've found some light in your days. Everyone deserves to feel happy. I hope your days bring you more smiles

CD's the best!

As far as happiness goes, for the most part I'm pretty happy. I have my moments like anyone else, but overall there's not much I can complain about. As far as what makes me happy.. just having close family and friends that I know I can always count on makes me happy.

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I like being happy over any other emotion of course. However we feel them all for a reason if we did not feel sadness, fear, anger, etc. how would we know what being happy is? What would it be for us without all other emotions? Life knocks us all around sometimes and we have to go through the emotions to balance it out and get back to our happy place.

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I remember I used to cry over certain looks I got off people, when a bus driver told me to speak louder and I cried at the back of the bus to college. I also wonder what's going on people's mind when they see me and it plays on my mind ever day.

Chip (167826066) wrote:

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I remember I used to cry over certain looks I got off people, when a bus driver told me to speak louder and I cried at the back of the bus to college. I also wonder what's going on people's mind when they see me and it plays on my mind ever day.

I think everyone is guilty of wondering what is going on in others minds when they see us. Some may not admit it and that is okay but it is human nature. You just got to get the confidence in your self to know who you are and what you are about and none of that will matter. I see you here. I see a funny person, smart and witty. You have made me giggle a few times. I see someone who is creative with the looks you put together. I see someone who is not scared to show who they are and how they feel. All of that makes for a beautiful person to me.

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I remember I used to cry over certain looks I got off people, when a bus driver told me to speak louder and I cried at the back of the bus to college. I also wonder what's going on people's mind when they see me and it plays on my mind ever day.

I think everyone is guilty of wondering what is going on in others minds when they see us. Some may not admit it and that is okay but it is human nature. You just got to get the confidence in your self to know who you are and what you are about and none of that will matter. I see you here. I see a funny person, smart and witty. You have made me giggle a few times. I see someone who is creative with the looks you put together. I see someone who is not scared to show who they are and how they feel. All of that makes for a beautiful person to me.

Thank you so much! Thank you Rod for making this thread, without it I wouldn't have been able to open up and speak up a bit more about my struggles, thank you for those who reached out to me, it means more than you realise

Chip (167826066) wrote:

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I remember I used to cry over certain looks I got off people, when a bus driver told me to speak louder and I cried at the back of the bus to college. I also wonder what's going on people's mind when they see me and it plays on my mind ever day.

I think everyone is guilty of wondering what is going on in others minds when they see us. Some may not admit it and that is okay but it is human nature. You just got to get the confidence in your self to know who you are and what you are about and none of that will matter. I see you here. I see a funny person, smart and witty. You have made me giggle a few times. I see someone who is creative with the looks you put together. I see someone who is not scared to show who they are and how they feel. All of that makes for a beautiful person to me.

Thank you so much! Thank you Rod for making this thread, without it I wouldn't have been able to open up and speak up a bit more about my struggles, thank you for those who reached out to me, it means more than you realise

We all need someone to just listen sometimes. Speaking up is all it takes sometimes. Like I told you in pm message me anytime.

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:

CountryDude89 (11877186) wrote:

Chip (167826066) wrote:I rarely have haply thoughts
If I'm truly happy id accept who I am and how I look like and love myself before loving others.
What makes me really happy though is my mum who has overcome an abusive relationship and without her I dread to think what life would have been like today
I'm happy when a friend reaches out to me without me typing first,
My friend from college messaged me to check up on me and after that I was crying tears of joy because someone out there actually took the time to send a simple message
Imhappy I'm still fighting
And I'm happy for my cats who keep me calm and make me smile when I've had a bad day from college

I'm crying over an emoji I'm too sensitive

I remember I used to cry over certain looks I got off people, when a bus driver told me to speak louder and I cried at the back of the bus to college. I also wonder what's going on people's mind when they see me and it plays on my mind ever day.

I think everyone is guilty of wondering what is going on in others minds when they see us. Some may not admit it and that is okay but it is human nature. You just got to get the confidence in your self to know who you are and what you are about and none of that will matter. I see you here. I see a funny person, smart and witty. You have made me giggle a few times. I see someone who is creative with the looks you put together. I see someone who is not scared to show who they are and how they feel. All of that makes for a beautiful person to me.

Snap is right! Chip, I always read your posts because they are insightful and honest. I'd be happy to be your friend.

I can't post about what makes my darker days more bright because it's against TOS
I choose joy though because I know who has me when I hit rough patches
These last 6 months have been rough but I've also found so much more happiness and joy!

My cat as a finalist in the DC makes me happy.
Here she is after removing her stitches and getting an infection: