The more I think about it, it seems that long-term happiness is something most people spend their lives seeking OR they believe it’s something they used to have and lost.
That makes me wonder if we are truly ever happy? Or if it’s something that is always just out of reach (in the future or in the past).
Happiness or contentment? The latter is likely possible. The former? There are too many ups and downs in life, too much stress, to be happy, long-term. My mother-in-law was the closest I’ve seen, but she still had worries over the well-being of family members, the state of the world, and then cancer. She was content, certainly – mostly stemming from her religious views and love for everyone – but that’s not the same as happy.