Three working hypotheses and an actual Formula for Happiness:

1. Happiness is not an emotion. Happiness is a higher order state of mind and/or state of being that is a product of our affective processes (feelings), cognitive processes (thoughts), conative processes (actions), and other factors and variables that will be unveiled in the Formula for Happiness at the end of this post. Psychologists, scientists, and other theorists often define Happiness in terms of other emotions, so how then can it be an emotion unto itself? And if we give Happiness the respect that a higher order state deserves, and stop throwing tantrums when we’re unhappy, perhaps it will enable us to more effectively control actual emotions.
2. Your cup is not half full, nor is it half empty; it is simply too big. Recognize and acknowledge reality. There are a large number of how-to books and websites on Happiness that focus oftentimes exclusively on the ‘Light’ or the positive aids to happiness, while neglecting the ‘Dark’ or the struggles inherent in day-to-day living. Like it or not, this planet we live on is not always conducive to a comfortable peace and prosperity, therefore we are better served by meeting the challenges head on with sturdy guiding principles. Successfully ignoring reality often equals oblivion and fooling ourselves into thinking we are happy because all we see are the lollipops and rainbows; our cup is half-full. Obstinately closing our eyes to reality, pretending it’s not there when we know it is, and thinking it won’t see us because our eyes are closed, causes us to run into walls and complain that ‘Life’s Not Fair’; our cup is half-empty. Get the right size cup and acknowledge both the Light and the Dark.
3. Happiness is never the ‘Horse’, and, the ‘Cart’ is not for sale. – In other words, considerations of happiness should not come first, and, we should not expect it (Happiness) to pull over and whisk us away whenever we whistle. We should not determine our course of action based on projected resulting happiness. If we do, we will fail. There is no direct route from point A (You Are Here) to point B (Happiness). It is not on a map, and most of the guidebooks that tell us where to find it, read like they’ve been written by a travel agent trying to make a commission. Yet these guidebooks sell because we want to know the shortcut that will take us past the dangerous, labyrinthine streets and alleyways, keep us out of the dark, dingy hotel rooms, and help us to avoid the squalid, filthy restaurant district. Unfortunately, there really is no shortcut; so to safely traverse this unpleasantness, let something other than happiness (and its how-to guidebooks) lead the way. Two of my favorite guides are Justice and Goodness. Other potential candidates I use include Compassion, Creativity, Work Ethic, Trust, and Persistence. These principles (and others that you may favor) will take us to some rough places, but they may also show us some stunning sights; anything from an untouched wilderness to a burgeoning metropolis, and points in between; places where Happiness roams the countryside and the streets. And with some luck we may glimpse this fabled chariot, walk alongside it for awhile, or even catch a short ride. Keep your horse before your cart.

Now here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Based on the theories above I have determined the variables necessary to precisely calculate your Happiness. Just factor your personal information into the formula below and you will be transformed:

(((Feelings + Thoughts) Action) / (Circumstances X Character)) X (Flash Point + Prevailing Winds + Humidity – Uncertainty) = Relative Momentary Happiness

I’m still working on the formula for Consistent Long-lasting Happiness. Stay Tuned.