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It seems like a simple question, but you might be surprised how hard is for some people to answer. Sure, everyone is familiar with the word and has some grasp on the concept of happiness. Everyone wants it and sees it as a good thing, but when it comes to pinpointing what exactly happiness means to them, most folks don ' t have a quick answer. Part of the problem is that while most everyone strives to achieve happiness, most people haven ' t really taken the time to think about what it means or how to get there.
Another part of the problem is that even after someone figures out their personal definition of happiness, that doesn ' t necessarily mean that their partner has the same definition. It might be the case with you and your partner. Fortunately, you and your partner don ' t have to have matching definitions in order to achieve happiness as a couple.
The first step to achieving happiness as an individual or as a couple is to determine what happiness means to you. There are as many ways to define happiness as there are people in the world, but most folks fall into one of three general categories according to personality traits and personal characteristics.
The first group defines happiness through external means, such as personal accomplishments and professional achievements. Folks in this external happiness group find the greatest joy in moving up the corporate ladder, buying a yacht or obtaining other external goals. Happiness is found through the external environment, for example the possessions they own, the degrees they earn or the goals they accomplish.
The second group defines happiness internally finding contentment in who they are as individuals, rather than the possessions they obtain or the accomplishments they achieve. This group is generally made up of content, balanced people who tend to also see others as who they are rather than their possessions or job title.
The third group of people defines happiness as acceptance and fitting in. This group finds contentment in accepting where and what they are in life and sees no need to go against the grain or make significant changes in their life or situation.
Each of these groups is comprised of people who find happiness in different ways and who go about achieving happiness and living life accordingly. Whichever your style is, ultimately the only definitions of happiness that matter in your life and in your marriage are the definitions held by you and your partner.
Even if you and your partner have different definitions of happiness and divergent views on how to best achieve happiness, you can still find happiness both as individuals and as a couple. The key is determining the definition that each of you has and then allowing each of your happiness styles to flourish. All individuals and couples want and deserve to be happy. By understanding what happiness means to you and what it means to your partner, the two of you can work together to find areas where your definitions intersect and ways to ensure balance and respect of each other ' s happiness style.
Simply by determining and understanding your happiness style, and that of your partner, you are well on your way to finding lifelong happiness together.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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