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Hannah Drabeck

Definition Essay

10/1/20

Dig Deeper on Happiness

The dictionary defines the word ‘happy’ as feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

Happiness can be shown through a variety of different experiences that vary for everyone.

Activities or experiences that make one happy won’t always make another person. However, I

have observed that happiness can be defined in situations that involve personal growth, stable

families, and achievement.

In past events, happiness has flooded my mind when I surpassed accomplishments. A

few years back, I trained myself for six months to participate in the Shamrock Half-Marathon.

Nearly everyday I would run around my neighborhood dreaming of making it to the end of the

race with a medal around my neck. Anticipation tingled up my spine as I began the first steps of

the long awaited moment, not knowing if I would make it or not. Crossing the 13 mile mark finish

line released more serotonin than I ever could have imagined, creating a feeling of content that

all that my hard work had paid off. Personal growth took over my body as I learned to never self

doubt myself. Happiness positively related to my accomplishments from dealing with internal

struggles, cancelling out any negative thoughts I had prior to the event.

One’s state of happiness can also depend on the people who one is surrounded with.

Families act as a support system, and one knowing that someone is there for them heavily

impacts the state of mind. Situations such as divorce or abuse can lead to personal trauma from

any individual in the family. These experiences can also cause a variety of mental health

disorders, such as depression, PTSD, or anxiety, all depleting one’s level of happiness. External

factors contribute heavily to one’s well being, and depending on the situation, it can be either

positive or negative factors hindering happiness.

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The American Dream, or in other words “The Pursuit of Happiness”, relates to the goals

and aspirations that one desires to achieve living in the United States of America. People’s idea

of achieving the American Dream can vary: Some people’s goal in life is to become married and

start a family, while others dream about collecting fortune. Whatever one’s dream may be,

accomplishing any of these goals will make one feel content. Although, sadly this concept can

be affected heavily by race or gender in America. The underlying theory in this phrase is

exemplified as hard work pays off, but sometimes this gives false hope to the millions of

Americans who won’t have a chance of succeeding. The Pursuit of Happiness can either have a

positive or negative connotation, depending on whether the person achieved their goal or not

compared to their efforts.

Levels of happiness can be due to one’s external factors that surround, internal factors

of well being, and accomplishments that have been achieved. Perceptions of happiness are

different for everyone, based on what their aspirations are and what affects them. Motivation is

positively connotated with happiness because not everything in life is handed to one. The term

‘happy’ seems like a simple word to the eye, but underneath reveals layers of meaning.