Still, seven years after arriving at UBC, Dunn has experienced her own challenges.

She struggled in previous years when her "awesome" husband-to-be decided to spend much of one year doing aid work in Africa.

But she wasn't undone by his long absence. Indeed, her research has discovered some "adversity" in life is beneficial to long-term happiness, especially if it comes in the early years of a relationship.

Like others, Dunn believes happiness arises out of a combination of factors. They include natural-born temperament, external life conditions that result from chance and planning, and the inner discipline to develop virtues conducive to contentment.

In addition - unlike some philosophers, religious teachers and austere moralists - Dunn is not down on simple pleasures like food, wine, sex, or whatever.

"In real life, pleasure and meaning go together very strongly," she says. "How you feel influences your sense of meaning. Positive mood helps you see the bigger picture."

Lorna's path to happiness

For Lorna Clutterham and most of us, happiness is not an academic project. It's a gritty quest.

The trials of the mother of two illustrate key things researchers are discovering about happiness.

Financial security is one condition of happiness. Lorna and her husband, David, who is a lumber trader, both have interesting careers that provide decent pay and security. Lorna appreciates being able to work only four days a week.

Like Dunn, Lorna is also not dismissive about the fundamental pleasures of food, drink and the rest.

She and David love sensual delights.

"There's nothing like food and a good bottle of wine. But they don't last forever. They are nice, but they don't bring you happiness."

Indeed, Lorna realizes food, alcohol and relative affluence can be dangerously addictive - which is why she's lost 63 pounds in the past year. "I feel cuter."

While some may dismiss music as even more evanescent than a good meal, Lorna recognizes melody and rhythm have restored her since childhood.

"Music has always brought me happiness. I feel joy rising. I feel revitalized by it."

The power of music has also brought Lorna into various circles of friends, most recently her community choir in South Delta.

And relationships, psychologists agree, are among the most important factors that keep arising as a contributor to happiness.

Although there have been many times when Lorna has felt alone - an "outsider" from a Manitoba family that "fizzled out" - she has built up a network of friends.

On top of her hard-earned happiness, Lorna also believes her life has meaning. No small thing.

A founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, says a "meaningful life" is more important than a "pleasant life," which to him includes relationships and interests.

Although some researchers point out Seligman's theory has not been proven, Lorna is convinced her psychiatric nursing job is her "calling."

"It's what I wanted to do. It feels as if I have a purpose."