I don’t agree on your definition of happiness or contentment. I experience contentment and happiness daily and it comes from observing what is around me that is beautiful, that for which I am grateful and that which I enjoy. I don’t experience anxiety. I don’t have control over all parts of my life and I don’t expect everything to be perfect. But I live a rich, fulfilling and connected life and have little sense of attachment to forcing outcomes. Because I can experience gratitude and live a life that is pleasing to me I feel happy. They merge with each other in my experience
I’ve learnt these things from past experiences that I would rather not have had but have, perversely, taught me much about what matters and how to live life well I’ve also learnt from living with someone for whom not a day would go by without negativity.
