What is happiness? Happiness is an internal state of well-being and fulfillment, and therefore must come from within. Each individual has their own emotions and way of thinking and consequently no one can truly say what happiness is and what it is not. However, universally, happiness is a byproduct of a healthy attitude and point of view. Happiness exists in everyone, whether they choose to recognize and believe it or not. It's not rare nor is it something only elites have: everyone has it but not everyone recognizes it. Contentment is finding a light at the end of every dark tunnel and to experience it we must ignore the pessimism around us and remind ourselves that happiness is not a materialistic object but a choice and a state of mind. Contrary to popular belief, true happiness is very rarely found at the bottom of the shopping cart or on the leather seats of a brand new car. We often hear the cliché that says “Money can't buy happiness,” but it's actually true. While the exhilaration and joy that comes from finally owning a desired item is amazing, you need to remind yourself that your happiness should not depend on owning this item. Being happy isn't something you can buy in a store or car dealership, it's how you approach life. Unfortunately, happiness does not have its own department in stores and never will. Happiness is how something is viewed as opposed to a physical thing. Happiness, however, is not just a prospect but also a choice. Success and happiness are often linked to contentment, but happiness should not depend on success. Despite not succeeding in my favorite sport, horse riding, the enjoyment it brought me far surpassed any d...... middle of paper...... small flaws but now I understand that simply being content is just choose to be. Obviously, changing your approach to life isn't instantaneous and will take time and effort, but this is where my newfound optimism comes in. I know that life will never be pristine and spotless because, after all, that is what life is. It's more a matter of perspective. I used to say that the glass was half empty but now it seems more logical to say that it is half full. None of these expressions are inaccurate, but one of them makes life slightly more tolerable. Now I can understand that happiness is essentially in the mind and it seems to me that if you spend your life in a cynical state of mind, surely everything you do is definitely a waste. The choice to be happy is one that anyone can make and it is this choice that ultimately determines how you live your life.