Sorry, Jacq. To me it sounds like you're looking for answers so I'm not going to disregard. I heard once that the word happiness comes from the root word happen. So happiness only comes to you when something happens to make you that way. It's not a permanent thing.

So, ever since then, I strive for contentment. That can be made a constant by looking for all the good in whatever happens. If nothing happens then you can maintain your contentment.

Hope that helps.