The word Cheerfulness is rich in definitions. The most common and historical are:

•The face

•In good spirits, living (1460)

•Solace, encouragement (1549)

•To brighten up (the face) etc (1611)

•To encourage, inspire, animate (1700’s)

•Disposition, mood, usually qualified as good, glad (1600’s)

•Gladness, mirth, gaiety (1600’s)

•Hospitable reception or entertainment (1666)

•To take heart (1600’s)

•To feast (1690)

•Food, eating, drinking, living (1600’s)

•A shout of encouragement, welcome or congratulation (1720)

Considering the origins of the word, it is interesting and makes sense that the most commonly understood recognition of cheerfulness is a happy/smiling face. As a word rich with positive meanings, we need to consider the division of these into some essential categories of qualities, namely:
• positive state of mind and emotions
• positive expression of state of mind/emotions (smiling, cheerful)
• encouragement of a positive state of mind/emotions to others (motivation)
• celebration/expression of a positive state of mind/emotions (eating, entertainment, drinking, gaiety, mirth, living)

1. Wise discernment of mind and emotions in the now moment

The first group of definitions of cheerfulness represent one being in a fully positive state of mind and emotions in the now moment, expressed as “glad, in good spirits, good mood, gladness, gaiety, mirth”. Few words in the English language are so all-encompassing of such an array of positive state of mind and emotions. Even fewer words exist without moral qualification.

With this first array of definitions we see Cheerfulness as a unification of the mind and body as one in a positive state, without reference to desire, to greed or to any of the pleasures normally associated with ego.

2. Positive expression of state of mind/emotions (smiling, cheerful) in the now moment

The second grouping of definitions of cheerfulness is the physical expression of being a fully positive state of mind and emotions by smiling and “brightening up the face”.

Again we see no negative attachment to the smile as being self-satisfying or related to the negative emotion of smirking. Instead we see the genuine nature of Cheerfulness expressed as smiling as the positive radiance of goodness and state of positive mind/emotions.

3. Encouragement of a positive state of mind/emotions to others (motivation) in the now moment

The third grouping of definitions of cheerfulness is most extraordinary, in that it encompasses more qualities of encouragement of a positive state of mind/emotions to others than almost any other word in the English language, including motivation. What is even more interesting is that the word cheerfulness is not usually consciously recognized as having these qualities, even though the saying “smiling is
infectious” is well understood.

In terms of qualities of encouragement, we see the word cheerfulness also means “solace, encouragement , encourage, inspire, animate, a shout of encouragement, welcome or congratulation.” Again we see these positive attributes are expressed in the present now moment.

4. Celebration of a positive state of mind/emotions (eating, entertainment, drinking, gaiety, mirth, living) in the now moment.

The fourth and final grouping of definitions of cheerfulness again is unique in that the word encompasses an extraordinarily wide set of qualities of the celebration/expression of a positive state of mind/emotions, including “hospitable reception or entertainment, gaiety (also implying singing, dancing), mirth (implying laughter, enjoyment), to feast, food, eating, drinking, living”.

Again what is amazing is that this list is made without any moral negative judgment as to the appropriateness of one form of expression or another.