H a p p i n e s s

In marketing, happiness is defined using the following formula:

Happiness = Current State - Desired State

If that's the equation for happiness, then I have a lot of questions.

First of all, how can we possibly define something so vague, so intangible, so dense, in a single equation? And even if we can, why would we want to do that?
Why is it that we want to put everything we can't seem to define or prove or explain into boxes or forms that will let us have control over them?
Why can't we just accept and be content with the fact that happiness can't be explained in a single sentence, let alone a mathematical equation? 

But even if the above equation was indeed correct, then what does it say about reaching the "maximum" level of happiness one possibly can? 

Mathematically, there are two ways of getting a high (or higher) level of happiness using the above formula: you either have to decrease your Desired State, or increase your Current State.

Decreasing your Desired State is, in theory, in your power. You can choose to aim lower, for fewer things in life, want less out of it, or not set a lot of ambitious goals for yourself. You could simply live each day as it comes, and not have any grandiose plans, hopes, or things to look forward to. That way, you'll be sure to decrease the value of your Desired State, which in turn will increase your level of Happiness, holding all other things constant in the equation. 

Increasing your Current State is another option, but it's not as easy. This one is not so much in your power because you actually have to achieve certain things, and achieve them now, and the way you think about it does not matter. You need tangible, observable improvements in your Current State, so that you are Happier, given that your Desired State remains constant. 

So, the equation is pretty basic. Just follow the recipe, and you'll have more Happiness.

However, life is not simple enough to be squeezed into a single equation. And I don't believe that the marketing definition of Happiness is a realistic one, and thankfully so. I don't know what the equation is, or even if there is one, but I'm enjoying the uncertainty of not knowing and trying to figure out the pieces of the puzzle one by one...