Happiness is really a subjective and uniquely learned process for each person... Everyone has a different set of assumptions, expectations, and mental processes

Happiness is really a subjective and uniquely learned process for each person... Everyone has a different set of assumptions, expectations, and mental processes they have to deal with, usually all of which have to be overcome on some level to be truly "happy". For most people, being engaged in work gets them to that state of living in the present, where the mind is fully focused on a task and doesn't get a chance to explore itself. For me though, being truly happy is being able to relax in that free time, soak up the present "nothingness", allow the mind to wander, take everything as it is (without judgment or assumption), and just be grateful for everything I've been blessed with (even if there are negative circumstances).