In other words, for most of us, our happiness is determined by what happens to us. Happiness like that is fleeting and sporadic, and it puts us in a position of being controlled by other people. That puts us at the level of a cat or dog. Any animal feels good and purrs with pleasure when his tummy is being rubbed, his back scratched, and his belly full. We're capable of something far greater, a happiness that doesn't come and go like like a breeze.
Real happiness endures hardship and struggle.
It continues and even grows when people are uncooperative, unkind, and otherwise difficult. I have met very few people who have real happiness. The joy they claim to have vanishes immediately when they're attacked, treated unfairly, or deprived of what they want. I know a man named Howard. People point to him as an example of happiness because he puts on quite a demonstration of concern with everyone he meets, smiling and shaking their hand.