Defining Happiness

September 27, 2026

Nogal House

Indian Divide, New Mexico

Defining Happiness

What a lovely title this has! I could write a book on this subject and it certainly deserves a well considered effort to describe. Happiness, waking at daybreak in my bus, the air cool, the linen sheets exquisite, the comfort immense. Watching the first light as it touches the peaks of the Vera Cruz Mountain and makes its walk to the base, the sky a pastel painting of clouds and color. I can hear the chatter of the pinion jays, which always makes me smile. My first thoughts are of the pure joy of the moment, the luxury of a life well lived, the comfort of not being rushed to rise and get on with the day, the stillness. All of this led me to contemplate happiness as I rose, dressed, gathered my book and clothes and stepped out the door to greet the day. Even the necessity of stepping outside to cross the yard to the house evoked happiness, and I watched a raven soar past overhead, the whoosh of wings making me pause for the full effect. This, then, is precious, and so easily missed from the shelter of my home. I would have missed all of this, the sunrise, the clouds, the jays, the pure joy and essence of the new day, in exchange for few comforts.

I have so often spoken of being feral, of the wildish side of my nature, my close connection to earth and sky. I would rather sleep outside than indoors and I have been that way for most all of my life. Lacking wilderness I leave the windows open, and for so many years I lived in campers and buses with the door open wide until the rains came or the winter chill required confinement for the sake of staying warm and dry. In the years of my travels I slept on the ground for months at a time and even when offered a bed, oft as not, slept outside. There is a part of my nature that requires this connection and that will never change. I have chided with my children that if I should ever have to be in a nursing home to make sure there is a place where I can sit outside. Hopefully I will never have to go there, and given the option will walk off into the wilderness and lean against a tree when my time comes near. Please do not try to find me!

But this essay is about living, not the final pause. Happiness defined. I am not sure, in spite of such deep study on the subject, if I have ever made that effort, or if I even wish to try. We confine everything to a definition, to specifics, to the constraints of societies demands. Happiness flies free of that, or it should. I will note that even the ‘definition’ is open ended for that same reason. It is certainly not defined by possessions or riches, even if it appears under the guise of the same. Happiness comes from within and is a state of mind we wish to revel in, or at least for me that is the focus. Happiness defined, from my perspective, is the fulfillment of my deepest desires, those for serenity and peace of mind above and beyond all else. The silent dawn that brings the chatter of the jay and the caw of the raven to my ears. The unhurried awakening, the leisure of the first hour of the day being purely my own to enjoy. The time to do as I wish before I engage with anything or anyone else.

By nature, my definition will vary from that of anyone else. We all have our own needs and wants and they are as unique as every aspect of life can ever be. Still yet, whatever we choose to fulfill it, happiness is a state of mind, a verb, not a noun or a possession we can buy or aspire to. It is a moving target, a wandering spirit, a bird in flight that only our eyes can follow. I choose to find my happiness in the simplest things and this morning it is my clear focus. Sometimes I forget to consider it and by doing so the feeling escapes me. Today I chose to take pause. Rather than hurry I went gently, I took the time to work out and then went for a walk after telling myself that everything else could wait. I built a small fire in the porch stove so I could sit beside the open window and gaze on the mountains in the distance. I sat to write at length and in depth before I allowed anything else to distract me. Now I must consider this, as it has become my primary focus of late. What is it that I wish to do with the remainder of my life that will assure that my happiness remains a priority?

I am blessed with the luxury of being able to make that choice. Yes, of course there are necessities that remain a constant but all told, I get to choose. I have lived my life in pursuit of happiness, and have been fortunate to find so much of it along the way. Now, as the years begin to run short, when the finite nature of life itself can no longer be ignored, I have to ask what I most need and want to comprise the fabric of the remainder of my time. If I were to cycle off the planet today I can say I have lived well, but given that I am still here, what of tomorrow? How do I want to fill this day and every one thereafter? Is this how I want my life to look a year from now if I am still here? What do I want to change, if anything? As with the definition of happiness the answer is a moving target, but some things remain a constant. Peace of mind, serenity, a quiet calm awaking each and every day all come to mind immediately. Keeping it simple as an essential.

I have work to do today, as always, but I will go about it joyfully. I will give my time and attention to the things that assure of my stability and comfort, as well as my good health. I will avoid distraction and instead savor each and every waking moment as I should. I will watch the sky, the clouds, the nearing storm and be grateful for the opportunity to do so. It comes to mind that I might do something special for myself, but I’m not even sure what that might be as I am already so content. I will go gently, that is for certain and perhaps I will plant some garlic before the rains return, a simple effort with a wonderful reward. I will be right here come next summer and will recall this moment when I pull the fragrant bulbs. A raven caws in the distance, telling me that all is good, flying off to the south as he departs. I cannot define happiness, but I have come so very close.  I am blessed.