We are social animals, so we do need family, friends, and/or acquaintances to reinforce what should be on the inside, self-love. I think self-love should be present first. This aids the inner drive to reach out to others, show our vulnerabilities, and build deeply meaningful relationships with others. A strong sense of our self-worth is necessary when we are "attacked" by someone who does not have the positive self-image that we should have. In short, it is a beneficial self-perpetuating cycle of inside initiating the outward search which reinforces the inside well-being.

Another of those broad spectrum questions that can only be answered by the individual to their personal experience. I rarely feel down or sad or lonely. So rarely that it could almost be considered to be never. I don't need external input to make me happy, but when input is there it does boost the level a bit.

I am of the opinion that it is a combination of both.

Being unhappy is a driving force that can motivate someone to improve their circumstances. Negative emotions serve a very real, biological purpose, just as all emotions do. Not to say you can't put in effort to try to make yourself feel happy in spite of negative stimuli - many people do all that time - but that more often than not, will not get rid of negative emotions, but merely reduce them or cover them up.

Talk therapy can help some people conquer various emotions, but talk therapy often also requires that physical changes be made to the things that you do or your surroundings in order to achieve this goal. Secondly, emotions are chemicals, and some people's brains are not capable of producing enough dopamine or serotonin for sustained happiness, sometimes even requiring medication.

I tend to be highly sceptical the "you can make your own happiness" people, just as I am all mental health philosophers, because scientifically, we know precious little about human psychology because the brain itself is such a mysterious organ, but what we do have is the lengthy trial and error process of professional psychologists and psychiatrists as well various case studies

I definitely think it comes from within. You need to overcome those external circumstances like illness and financial loss-by accepting deep inside your situation and moving forward as best you can.

I'm happy keeping to myself. I don't need to be surrounded by people to be happy.

I think happiness comes from within but that's not to say that external or environmental factors don't/can't contribute to your happiness.

Happiness is both internally an externally generated. It's never completely in your control but you can always do your best to be positive. Then again happiness is a perspective some people enjoy feeling bad in a way and the best way to feel bad is to do nothing because nothing will happen to you.

It's a combination of things. It comes from our attitude, perspective, experiences combined with how and who we are that makes us unique. In a sense, that determines our happiness be it from external or internal reactions that makes us feel the way we do.

In the form of endorphins or if your into pain in dopeamine.

When I was overseas doing a dangerous job (at the age of 19 to 21) which scared the hell out of me, I learned Zen meditation from an old monk. (BTW Zen is non-theist.) That helped me calm down and quit using drugs to stay functional. Years later, I had an "enlightening" experience that introduced me to genuine inner happiness. It's a way of shutting out the outside world, and sorta "holing up" in an inner shell. It doesn't make the bad monsters of the world disappear, but it does give you a period of inner peace for a while. So, I like to think I have "Happiness in a Box" for use whenever it is needed. It lets me rest and restore, and gives me time to think in relative peace and quiet.

definitely up to us to feel happy. there are people who are hardwired to feel happy and those who are not. I'm lucky

For a healthy brain, it essentially is a choice. So long as your dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels are doing well the ability to feel happy is mainly a matter of perspective. And a person can also choose to engage in activities that assist in boosting the transmission of these "happy chemicals". But some brains are out of "balance", and no matter what you "choose", happiness just isn't possible without medical help. And even WITH medical help, it can be difficult, as the exact causes of clinical depression are still being studied.

Much like diabetes, there are multiple ways functionality can go wrong. Type I diabetics simply don't produce enough insulin, but Type II diabetics have cells that are resistant to insulin uptake. We have medications that can help correct serotonin and dopamine levels, but until we know more getting the correct medication is largely trial and error.

Better be because never found happiness lounging outside of me and never last but is very enjoyable!!!!

Both