connotation can be powerful. Here is the unabridged definitionMain Entry: hap·pi·ness Pronunciation Guide Pronunciation: -pemacronndotted schwas, -pdotted schwan- Function: noun Inflected Form(s): -es Etymology: happy + -ness 1 archaic : good fortune : good luck : PROSPERITY <all happiness bechance to thee -- Shakespeare> 2 a (1) : a state of well-being characterized by relative permanence, by dominantly agreeable emotion ranging in value from mere contentment to deep and intense joy in living, and by a natural desire for its continuation (2) : a pleasurable or enjoyable experience <I had the happiness of seeing you -- W.S.Gilbert> b Aristotelianism : EUDAEMONIA 3 : APTNESS, FELICITY <his examples lack happiness> <a striking happiness of expression> synonyms FELICITY, BEATITUDE, BLESSEDNESS, BLISS: happiness is the general term denoting enjoyment of or pleasurable satisfaction in well- being, security, or fulfillment of wishes <pleasures may come about through chance contact and stimulation; such pleasures are not to be despised in a world full of pain. But happiness and delight are a different sort of thing. They come to be through a fulfillment that reaches to the depths of our being -- one that is an adjustment of our whole being with the conditions of existence -- John Dewey> FELICITY, a more bookish or elevated word, may denote a higher, more lasting, or more perfect happiness <all the felicity which a marriage of true affection could bestow -- Jane Austen> <felicity or continued happiness consists not in having prospered, but in the process of prospering -- Frank Thilly> BEATITUDE refers in this sense to the highest happiness, the felicity of the blessed <the years of loving sacrifice in scraping that boxful without letting Patty go short were amply crowned for John by this one moment. He sat down again the in corner wrapped in beatitude -- Mary Webb> <a sense of deep beatitude -- a strange sweet foretaste of Nirvana -- Max Beerbohm> BLESSEDNESS suggests the deep joy of pure affection or of acceptance by a god <the blessedness of the saints> BLISS may apply to a complete and assured felicity <all my life's bliss from thy dear life was given -- Emily Brontë> <now safely lodged in perfect bliss; and with spirits elated to rapture -- Jane Austen>
Citation format for this entry: "happiness." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com (9 Sep. 2009).: On Sep 9, 11:00 am, Lonlaz <[email protected]> wrote: > I really do envy people like you, who can be happy all the time. My > center is probably more like calmness. When I think of my family and > my life in lot, I feel at most contented. Happiness is just another > feeling, and a disposition for some. It also is a word that sets off > warning lights for me, reminds me TV ads selling laundry detergent, > people deciding they deserve that red convertible, cults and religions > making promises. > > Perhaps this isn't what Molly means by happiness, but maybe what she > does mean needs a different word. > > On Sep 9, 9:40 am, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > Umm I think I garee with you. I'm generaly insanly happy, and yes > > this seems to piss people of sometimes. > > > I don't go chasing happines though, I gusee I'm just happy with my > > lot, you know good job, great wife, two seemingly well adjusted > > children(a rareity for my family it seems). In short I guess if I had > > things to be unhappy about, well I might just be. > > > On 9 Sep, 15:26, Lonlaz <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I find it strange to seek happiness as the base state of my life, that > > > sounds exhausting. Every once in a while I feel happy, but what I > > > strive for is to be engaged, which usually involves unhappy things > > > like stress and failure, the end result can involve happiness, but > > > that is not the point for me. > > > > I wonder, Molly, if you do not attribute too much importance to > > > happiness. Perhaps it is in the order of a personal truth, and not a > > > universal truth.- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
