What is life ? life is what you make it < simple logic really !

As a society, you'd have to ask someone from the Scandinavian countries. They are always on the top of the list on Happiness poles. I'm sure their socialist systems plays a big part in that. Happiness to me is a quiet mind, good friends and good health.

there is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.. so freedom is my happiness.. i think we live as we want and have all in what we believed..️

Another interesting one Harmony :)
I think happiness stems from a sense of belonging, and or an absence of negative emotions.and is relative. for example, last year I had a serious health problem , couldn't walk for 4 months, wife divorced me , was defiantly not happy..

health is good now , new house/life. i find myself smiling when I wake up in the morning.
I dont really chase happiness so much as let it catch up.
things don't make you happy, despite what adverts say. money dosn't make you happy, but does if you've spent time without it. if you were starving, food would make you happy, dying of thirst, water. etc
Lonely, then company or love. but once we have these things we take them for granted. and seek other things to MAKE us happy.
Happiness is like love, every one wants it. But you just have to sort of let it find you.
Fundamentally I think it part of the reward/feedback system for things that are beneficial to us.

Happiness changes from day to day and from year to year. What made me happy when I was younger, isn’t what makes me happy now.

Sometimes just looking at the stars makes me happy.

Observing primates, they can be happy with simple things for hours, until something upsets them. Then they can be happy with another simple thing for hours. Some get happiness from upsetting the others.

Look at babies and children, asleep, happy, or hungry, thirsty, in pain, annoyed.

I think the old normal human state would have been happiness until upset, eg. hungry, thirsty, in pain, annoyed, wronged, etc.
It's just that 'civilisation' loads us up with so much more BS every year; If you don't have a worry one will be found for you.

Not as much time to be happy, too busy leading a 'modern' life.
So much horror on the news and in entertainment, makes a few happy.

In humans it is a cultural thing also, happines at church, at the hotel, on a motorbike, profiting, donating, serving, gaming, gambling, in fact we have too many sick and twisted ways of being happy. And then sex . .

Yes, true.
But primates and babies don't have to worry about mortage payments, rent, car payments, or if they're going to get that job promotion...or be laid off...etc...

Bluegrass, exactly my point. If you had none of those worries/impositions/downers, from modern society, you should be happy and thriving and glowing, until something comes along to upset you, like a sabre toothed tiger or T rex.
THEN it's time to be not happy !

Just remembered Ren and Stimpy:
Happy happy Joy Joy Happy happy Joy Happy happy Joy Joy Happy happy Joy
Happy happy Joy Joy Happy happy Joy Happy happy Joy Joy Joy.