I hear so often that happiness is what we’re seeking, that happiness is actually all around us. I think that’s very misleading. There’s not really any happiness if we just take a deep breath or go to a coffee shop, or if we drive all the way to the beach and relax on the shore. Happiness is not all around us. 

Contentment is always around us. 

We can be content in those ways, but you can’t just keep on getting more content, because that means you’re desiring more contentedness. If you’re content, you’re content. If you’re not not you’re not. It’s kind of an is-or-isn’t quality. 

Happiness, on the other hand, is a never-ending pursuit, and true happiness only comes from creating contentment around us, helping others, other sentient beings around us, find contentment. And as long as there’s discontent and we are attending to it, we may find contentment pretty much everywhere, and we’re happy.