Upto this time happiness has defied definition. Most people tend to equate happiness with fun, good living,plenty of money. If happiness were synonymous with all this, rich people with all their luxuries and countless parties, would be perpetually happy. But in actual fact, they are, frequently,acutely unhappy,despite their riches and ability to indulge in fun activities at will. Fun is what we experience during an act; happiness is that intangible something we experience after an act. We may have fun watching a movie, going shopping, meeting friends- these are all fun activities that afford us fleeting moment of relaxation. Happiness , on the other hand,is a much stronger , deeper and more abiding emotion.

If we perceive happiness as the ultimate goal, we must also device a way to reach that goal.

The way to happiness is not smooth, broad highway along which we can cruise at a comfortable speed. It is path through rocky and rugged terrain and the going can come very tough in time. At these times we have to roll up our sleeves and make our ways onwards. This pursuit of happiness lasts a life time. Great happiness is earned only by great effort and effort not in spurts but diligent, constant effort.

In this connection we are confronted with another fallacy that fun and pleasure means happiness and thus pain,it's direct result must be synonymous with unhappiness.But in fact the truth is quiet different. Things that bring us happiness, more often than not, involve some amount of pain. It is because of misconception that people avoid the very endeavor that is the source of true happiness.

Happiness is not a permanent vacation . Another prevalent belief is that if one were rich enough not to have to work one would be blissfully happy. But a job is more than just a pay cheque. Almost all religion teach us that work is worship. Work holds the key to happiness as doing something which increases confidence and self worth. It brings on a feeling of satisfaction , of doing something on contributing . Job satisfaction comes less from how much one earns than from the challenge of the job. Of course the pay cheque counts. It would be unrealistic to suggest that one could be happy without a basic shelter .

A secret ingredient of happiness is contentment . Contentment here does not mean apathy, or lack of ambition just as commitment does not mean curtailment of freedom.Commitment teaches us to give so that we may receive and contentment helps us to cherish the gifts we received. These things are worth a try even if they don't promise access to the pinnacle of success. Success, after all,has been described as getting what one wants , whereas happiness is getting what one gets.