What Is Happiness? A Reflection on True Happiness
International Day of Happiness
Today is International Day of Happiness, and it made us pause.
What is happiness, really?
Is it big milestones?
Perfect circumstances?
Everything going exactly as planned?
Is it money? Possessions? The kind of life that looks good from the outside?
The world often defines happiness as success, comfort, or achievement. But from a Christian perspective, true happiness looks different.
We’ve learned it goes deeper than that.
According to Merriam-Webster, happiness is defined as “a state of well-being and contentment.”
Not success.
Not perfection.
Not stuff.
Well-being.
Contentment.
That feels closer to the truth.
For us, true happiness isn’t about what’s impressive — it’s about what’s steady.
What Makes Us Happy
Happiness and contentment show up in ordinary moments.
Morning conversations that turn into meaningful ones.
Laughing at something completely ordinary.
Understanding each other without needing a full explanation.
It’s comfort.
It’s familiarity.
It’s history.
It’s being fully yourself — no pretending, no performing.
Real happiness isn’t flashy.
It’s built over time.
It’s connection that has matured right along with us.
But the biggest lesson we’ve learned about happiness is this…
The Real Source of True Happiness
Happiness isn’t a constant feeling.
It’s not perfect days.
It’s not always agreeing.
It’s not a life without stress.
And it’s definitely not depending on another person to give you happiness.
That was the biggest shift for us.
As much as we love each other, we are not each other’s source.
True happiness comes from God.
Our relationship is a blessing — but it isn’t the foundation. Faith is.
In another reflection, we talked about how so much in our world feels temporary — and why some things were meant to last.
When joy and happiness are rooted in Him, everything feels steadier.
Peace isn’t fragile.
Hard days don’t undo you.
Expectations don’t weigh the relationship down.
Because when God is your source of happiness, people become a gift — not the answer.
That’s the difference between chasing happiness and resting in it.
What Is Happiness to You?
On this International Day of Happiness, maybe the better question is personal.
What is happiness to you right now?
Are you chasing it?
Waiting for it to arrive with the next achievement?
The next relationship?
The next season of life?
Is your happiness dependent on someone else behaving a certain way?
On circumstances lining up perfectly?
Or is your happiness rooted in something unshakable?
When happiness depends on people, plans, or possessions, it can feel fragile.
But when faith and happiness are connected — when joy and happiness is anchored in God — it becomes steady.
Not because life is easy.
But because your foundation is strong.
Maybe today is a good day to ask:
Where is my happiness coming from?
And is it something that can be taken away…
or something that holds me steady no matter what?
Where Our Happiness Comes From
So on this International Day of Happiness, we’re not celebrating perfection.
We’re celebrating faith.
We’re celebrating growth.
We’re celebrating everyday moments that feel meaningful because God is in them.
As Scripture reminds us:
“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
— Psalm 16:11
Happiness, for us, isn’t something we chase.
It’s something we rest in.
Because when joy and happiness is found in Him, it doesn’t disappear when life shifts.
And that makes all the difference. 💛
💌 Join Our Journey
If you have enjoyed this reflection, we would love for you to continue our journey with us.
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With love,
Wanda & Kim
Mom and Me Moments
Until our moments bring us together again—make every moment meaningful. 💛