measuring happiness

How does one measure happiness?

Some may say that the amount of happiness one possesses can be generated through the numbers reflected in one's bank balance.

Some have been keeping track of their happiness via the communication and understanding amongst friends and family.

Some, well, they chart progress of their joy by the number of sexual conquests and experiences.

But ironically, the only way to truly measure your happiness is simply by being happy and comparing it to previous times when you were less of a joyful soul. Just to bask in the pleasure of being not upset and leave it at that.

Maybe it all sounds a tad lame. Maybe you don't even understand what I'm saying. But after being through rich and poor, family intact to incomplete, sexless to oversexed, it shows to be quite simple. You are only happy if you want to be and if you let yourself be.

Some may have all the riches in the world and yet live each day in sadness, loneliness or fear. Some who have their families intact and caring may find their family members too nosey or naggy.

In general, mankind has never really been able to live a lifetime contented and worry-free, simply because we seek a higher cause for ourselves. A need to be more valued and respected in terms of success measured in the eyes of others. If we just sit down, and count the ways we have excelled in our own ways, not comparing to others, then maybe we can achieve a state of bliss. A simple bliss within ourselves that come from self-contentment.