Are you actually happy, or merely content? It is a distinction I try to make from time to time. There is nothing worse than rationalising that I'm happy, when in fact, I'm merely satisfied with my situation.
Why distinction is important
I am not a native English speaker, nor is the majority of you who read this blog, so I want to clarify that by happy, I mean the feeling of joy, and by content I mean the feeling of satisfaction (often by rationalisation). Being happy is a bright clear color while being content is a muddy grey-ish color. Denmark is mentioned as one of the happiest countries in the world, but funny enough, it is also one of the largest consumers of antidepressants, and to not get started on alcoholism (also remember that statistics can prove anything)! I believe one big mistake with these surveys is that you confuse happiness with being content. Of course if you have food on the table, a place to sleep, security against misfortune what can you not be content about? But are you really happy?
The distinction is important because it defines if you really are living life as you want to.
Your comfort zone
The comfort zone is where you are content (or maybe sad). Outside it is where you are happy (or maybe terrified). When you break the comfort zone of your life, you are exposed to the dangers of the world. But to be happy, you need to live life to it's fullest. To me, not doing so is betraying my very self.
Partners in "alright" relationships
You might know this situation, or have even experienced it on your own body; the "alright" relationship. You have been with your boyfriend or girlfriend for a considerably amount of time, and you feel alright about it. However you are not as happy and thrilled as you first meet, you are just okay about it. This is you living in your comfort zone of your relationship. This is you rationalising your reality to fend yourself off the pain of saying "There is something wrong" and risk the relationship.
The worst of it is that, in the end you risk the relationship anyway!
Doing something alright vs doing something good
Another example is when you are doing something alright, or you are doing it good. When I'm creative I always want to do it good and it keeps me staying up late. When I'm just doing mindless work I'm just doing it alright, as quick as possible, and maybe even sloppy. Discipline helps me with the later part, but the real distinction here is the love in what I do. We cannot do what we love to do all the time, but we certainly can live a life in which we are happy, instead of merely content.
Happiness doesn't come from security, it comes from exploring the world and yourself. It comes from facing your fears, and survive. It comes from loving the world, and not being afraid of showing you enthusiasm for it.
Stop being mediocre, and start changing your live to what truly makes you happy.