[CongressJon]

Happiness is an intangible state of mind, and one of the things we strive for most in life. It is an emotion that drives our actions. You could look at someone’s face, and instantly tell if he or she were immensely happy or sad, just by the contortion of their mouth, the shine or dullness of their eyes, or the creases on their face. It’s a state of mind that we all experience at a precise moment, whether it’s for a joke or just a joyful moment. It can be seen all around us: A small child playing tag with a friend, a student whose summer vacation has just begun, or a high school graduate who got into the college he applied for. There are just so many ways it can appear. It can even act as a confidence booster, bringing with it a renewed sense of vigor. Happiness, unlike other tangible items, cannot just be acquired like many other things: it can’t be bought or traded. It can either come to you, in a burst of radiant light, or you can have it for the long run, ever content with your life, and happy just to be alive. It is mainly influenced by a person’s overall mentality, the way that they perceive the world, and everything in it.

The point is, happiness is often fleeting, a feeling among one of the many we can experience. Happiness can feel as if it were an inflating balloon, a slow swelling of joy inside of you, almost as if you were to burst with joy. It can be somewhat like a blanket, spreading warmth or relief throughout all of your limbs. It is your own perception of that inner joy that determines how it feels. Because of the pleasure it can bring, the people who yearn for it most hold it with the most value. But whoever the beholder, the satisfaction it brings to them is similar. It is my personal belief that happiness is invaluable to us because of the joys it can bring into our reality.