Happiness is a feeling, a moment, a memory, a state of being that often comes when we least expect it. It’s not something we can hold in our hands, yet we know it when we feel it—like sunlight on our skin or a familiar melody that brings back warm memories. But what exactly is happiness? And how do we measure it?

For me, happiness isn’t just one thing. It’s a collection of moments, of feelings that string together like beads on a thread—small, sometimes unexpected, but each one precious. It’s the comfort of a good book, the way a story wraps around me and pulls me into a different world. It’s the sound of my daughter’s laughter, her voice full of curiosity and mischief, reminding me that joy is often found in the simplest things.

Happiness is being CONSIDERED—when someone remembers the little things about me, like my favourite flavour icecream or how I take my doubles, makes my day easier. It’s being CHOSEN, knowing that in a world full of options, someone picked me—whether in friendship, love, or even just a moment of kindness. It’s being cared for and loved, the reassurance that even on my hardest days, I am not alone.

But how do we measure happiness? Some say it’s in achievements, in success, in reaching milestones. Others say it’s in the quiet moments, the spaces between accomplishments where we simply exist and feel at peace. I think happiness is deeply personal—what fills one person’s heart may not move another.

For me, happiness (in part) lies in connection. It’s in the people who make my life richer, in the love I give and receive, in knowing that I matter. It’s in feeling seen, heard, and valued. And maybe, at its core, that’s what happiness is for all of us—the feeling that we belong, that we love (ourselves most of all) and are loved, and that the moments of joy, however fleeting, are worth holding on to.

What makes you happy?

Take a moment to think about it, to savor it, and to seek more of it every day. Because happiness isn’t just something we find—it’s something we choose, something we create, and something we nurture.

And that, I believe, is what truly makes life beautiful.

Happy International Day of Happiness!