Happiness is...

Imagine that you are so happy that you could "leap" for joy like this dolphin. Is happiness just a state of excitation or it is something more? Could you be happy in an unpleasant situation? I like the way Young's Literal translation translates "The beautitudes". Jesus says:

Mat 5:3 `Happy the poor in spirit--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.
Mat 5:4 `Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 `Happy the meek--because they shall inherit the land.
Mat 5:6 `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness--because they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 `Happy the kind--because they shall find kindness.
Mat 5:8 `Happy the clean in heart--because they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 `Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.
Mat 5:10 `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.
Mat 5:11 `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--
Mat 5:12 rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward is great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Happiness is living a life that Jesus describes; one that is not without difficulties, but rather one that is lived through them with the help of the God of the heavens. You may or may not leap for joy, but you WILL BE HAPPY, because God will show you how to live.