What is happiness?

My friend asked me today, "What's your goal in life?"

In which I respond, "To be happy."

He further probes, "So..ok...What makes you happy?"

*blank stare*

*contemplate*

List:

• Having something to look forward to.
• Independence.
  
• Achievement.
• Progression.
  
• Perseverance towards success.
• Desire.
  
• Reuniting with loved ones.
• Laughter.
• Compassion.
• Empathy.
• Long, encompassing hugs.
• Coming home...parking my car...staring up at a clear night sky and seeing all the stars glimmering brightly above.
• Cool nights.
• Skyline views.
• Diversity and acceptance.
  
• Spending the entire day with my little sister.
• Having deep life conversations with close friends.
• Running on an overcast day.
  
• That natural tightness you feel in your muscles after a good workout.
  
• Cooking something beautiful.
• Good eats.
• Vanilla frozen yogurt with oreo pieces and peanut butter...*salivate*
• Food Network time on the couch.
  
• Driving by myself.
• Genuine compassion.
  
• Smiles.
• Berkeley Kiwanis.
• UC Berkeley Circle K.
• Circle K Board members -- people who will always seem to understand where you are coming from...
• Meeting someone new and realizing "Wow. We have so much in common! Let's be friends!"