I think I finally figured it out. You must be content to find happiness. See, I have never really been happy, but i think it's because I have never really been content. Things in my life seem to be falling into place, and I'm finding some contentment, and I'm noticing ore happiness.

Can you be happy, yet not content, or content, but unhappy? Do they go hand and hand, or are they separate things?

I Think they are seperate. One can find 'happiness' in a moment of satisfaction without truly feeling 'content' or as if they have a longstanding satisfaction.

Similarly, one can be 'content' in the context of having longstanding stability and not being miserable, but still not quite be happy.

Yes. Definitely.

I think I get what you're saying.

It's kinda when you create a good painting that you like, and are content with, but it seems to be missing something, it's not quite perfect, but satisfying. You share it with others because you are pleased with the results, but it's not exactly something you would frame and hang on your wall.

Is that around what you are saying?

Happiness is an emotion. Contentment is a choice. That's the difference.

Meow?

Contentment is not an emotion? Care to expand on this?

I'd say its a mixture, as it depends on what we are thinking off and what we are doing at the time.. ie.. we may feel down in the dumps but the smile from a child lifts our spirits.. though I agree that if we are more content with our lives then the more happier we are likely to be.. and see the cup is half full and not half empty.. (ps good luck in the next interview )

yes, good analogy

mmm...i've slept with both..and i prefer the latter one..

One can be content with what they have and where they are in life but still not totally happy with it....

I feel one must be happy with themselves in order to be totally content with where they are and themselves..

Happiness must come within in order to enjoy the things around them... and be content with the way things are....

One can find happiness within things but unless they are truly happy with themselves those things will be short lived...

I agree 100 percent

Hi Totage
I believe that happiness and contentment come and go like the tides. Like the summer breeze blowing in or the winter ice finally melting off the sill. That's how life is. There is a time for everything. I'm glad to hear you are feeling both of those feelings. You deserve it

TY Winter :) Where have you been hiding?

I've been around...just haven't posted too much. I don't have too much time inbetween my jobs these days; but I still love getting on here and seeing what is going on and see if there are any new hookups .

Oh, hiding in plain sight are we? :P

I think to be content in your life you have to know who you really are. I think you have to know what you really want out of life..does that make sense? I am very content with my life because I know who I am and what I want BUT I am not happy with my life because of health issues. They do not always go hand and hand.
I have decided to be single and I enjoy my life. I am at that age to where I don't need a man but if I want a man then that is a different situation. Right now, I don't really want a man because I am very content with me!
I guess the first thing you have to do is know who you are and know what you want. Always be happy and always smile....you never know who might be watching you to fall in love with that smile

Im pretty sure happy is knowning right before it happens, and content is after ya getz a nut

Why are you meowing at me? Did I offend? I just said what I thought. If love can be a choice, why can't contentment? We choose our attitudes.

Totage, you`d better change your trend. You come across lately in more than one spot on the forums as a self-bloated ego-fanatic who thinks of others as sht, and you express it freely.

Not at all :) i just found what you had to say interesting. I agree. I never really thought about like that.