I have my Mom's little diary she kept for a couple of years when I was little. No electricity, no running water, 16 miles from the nearest town for any shopping...and 6 of us kids from 0-15! She had a big garden and canned enough in the summer to get through the winter. The cream check bought what staples the family needed. I still remember when we got electricity and running water in the house. A very hard life but I never heard her complain. She was just focused on getting the work done.
I like your summary questions, QNSue. I think it goes even deeper than happiness to contentment. To me that's a emotion that can carry a person a lot longer and farther than happiness.