What does it take to be happy?

I watched a documentary on happiness yesterday, and it changed how I thought about happiness, so I thought I would share my thoughts with you all!

Firstly, they said that although money can't buy happiness, you have to get above the poverty line before there isn't a correlation. Basically, once you get above the poverty line, there is no relation between money and happiness. When they asked people what they thought would "get them happiness", most people answered that they believed having more money would bring it to them.

Secondly, they said that around 50% of a person's happiness is dependent on genetics, while only 10% is a good job, relationships, and all the things people think will make them happy. They didn't mention this, but I'd like to add that part of the "genetics" piece may be upbringing. If a person sees their parents making the best out of a situation or having a sunny personality, they're much more likely to handle themselves better in bad situations. I think this also has a big impact on a person's reflection of their own "happiness" and their overall attitude.

I also would like to add some of my thoughts. They didn't really cover this, but I think that people who say what they want from life is "to be happy" are always going to want something more. For example, if they think a good job will make them happy, they'll get there and find nothing's changed, then want a better job to make them happy. Or, a person will want a good relationship, and that will make them happy. But they might not be fully happy in a relationship either. It seems to me that people who do that need to just decide to be happy with what they have, instead of always wishing they had something else or something more.