About 2 or so years ago, I wrote down the following on my Wish List/Bucket List for the future:

"To be happy" (alongside such "dreams" like going to Japan)

At the time, I assumed that happiness was a state that one achieves after accomplishing such dreams and goals.

But if anything, I have learned, especially during the pandemic and through consistent meditation practices, that happiness (like you mentioned) is a fleeting emotion like anger, sadness, jealousy, frustration, etc.

And while I would, of course, love to be happy on a "permanent" basis, it makes me feel better knowing that all emotions are fleeting, even the negative ones. So I appreciate a state of happiness even more now. Great article like always.