Happiness’ definition is not a motionless feeling; it evolves as people age. While we are young we see happiness as living life with excitement and adventure; however, when we get old we see happiness with inter-peace. Since the definition of happiness varies there are no overall elements that should be required for something to be considered happiness. The definition of happiness is done on an individual feeling of how happiness is defined in their lives. I think it all starts with the way we are raised and how our parent view life is stamped into our physic that brings us to our conclusions of happiness. Cultural myths I think are not much a factor as cultural beliefs of what brings happiness to a cultural as a whole. Additionally, a cultural definition of happiness is an evolving emotion that never stops defining itself in any culture. Happiness has been distorted by American media should be mostly used as a vehicle of selling products and services, not used to define happiness in our society; that if this was a perfect world. Regrettably, Americans uses the media and advertising as a guideline for happiness. Americans are told for a woman to be successful she must look like a model, so many of our young girls are making themselves sick or even worst killing themselves to find the happiness that is portrayed in the media and in advertising. In addition, for the young boys the media and advertising is portraying that the only way to be happy is to be an athletic, a rapper or a magazine model, which has put pressure on many. Yes and no, there are still cultures in America that believes hard work and effort is the path to happiness and freedom; however, these are mostly immigrants that came to America with those beliefs instilled in their personality. On the other hand, there are some who thinks America owes them and they are entitled to the riches that they feel will bring happiness and freedom without the hard work and effort. This country offers the freedom to choose who and what they want to be; that is why most come to this country. It is the one place where most can come from a third world country and can become a successful citizen. The American dream to me is being able to be a productivity citizen that can contribute to the growth of this country. Happiness Defined

The inter-peace of the soul; such as the smile of a child,

Or a child’s first step or his or her’s first word,

Or the memories of that first love,

Or when a song brings back memories of the first kiss,
This is happiness.

Happiness has no rhythm or reason it’s just there,

You know the touch that brighten your heart and soul,

Or the sound of a voice that makes your heart beats fast,

Happiness is all of this and much more.

By Penny Miles

I wrote this poem when I was in my twenties and I keep it around to remind me of the time when I happiness was the center of my life. These words reflect the times when I am the happiest. These are my reflections of happiness.