The ever elusive "happiness"

As of this posting I have been up for more than 36 hours straight. I've been to school twice. It's comedic how your perspective of things can change when you've gone without sleep. It seems like most of it has been spent staring at this computer screen doing research on depression and antidepressants. Needless to say, I now know more about both than I ever cared to prior to this point. I did take a break from my highly important research to remove the transmission from one of my cars. I probably would have continued working through the night on installing the other transmission I have for it, but it started to rain. I've washed my hands multiple times and taken three showers but I still stink of transmission fluid. It's really itchy too which leads me to believe maybe there were splinters of metal in my old trans. I wouldn't rule anything out at this point.
Anyway.
Have I ever mentioned how envious I am of my dog sometimes? He has no idea how lush his life is sometimes. All he has to do is not poop in the house or destroy. Pretty much anything else goes. But the real reason I envy my dog is because of his ability to fall asleep just about anywhere in a matter of minutes.


Sorry, took a small pause there for a minute. I forgot why I started writing this...Oh yes, "happiness". Happiness is defined by dictionary.com as

hap·pi·ness

 [hap-ee-nis] 

noun

1.

the quality or state of being happy.

2.

good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

Unfortunately for me, I'm no sure I know what true happiness is or how to be "happy". I've had brief moments of being content but never total bliss. I guess I'm always looking for more out of things. If anyone has figured out a way, I am all ears.