Definition Essay: What Makes Us Happy?

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What really makes us happy? Many people believe it is wealth, family, and fame. Do those factors really affect happiness? Studies have shown that excessive wealth (over $75,000) has no additional effect on happiness, and along with fame may, in fact, decrease it. What really does make us happy? I have been happy when doing volunteer work, spending time with friends, and while working on an interesting project. The definition of happiness that I get from examining those experiences is this: happiness exists when one or more of the following are true: everything seems to be okay, having a challenging and meaningful task, and helping other people.
We are happy when everything seems to be okay, as I have experienced when spending time with my friends. There are two ways we can feel like everything in our life is in place. The first way is when everything actually is in place. We have productive days, are getting everything done that needs to be, and
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As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I spend between 10 and 50 hours a month helping people in the community understand the Bible. Usually, between four and seven of us work together at a time. After spending three or more hours with my friends, I usually have learned more about them. It also is meaningful. It is amazing to see someone’s eyes light up after seeing a scripture in the Bible that answers a question they always have had or some practical advice for a problem they are facing. However, this volunteer work is also challenging. It’s fun to figure out what would interest a person, the best scriptures to share, and how to convey the point clearly and tactfully. The main reason it is fun is I am giving my time to help other people. The Bible says it is better to give than receive, and I personally have seen that to be true. We spend our time, our money, and we usually are tired after doing the work, but I always finish feeling

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