Can happiness being measured?

According to the Western’s dictionary, happiness is defined as a state of well-being characterized from emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy and for me, it is a state that I reach by doing what I want and having what I need. Actually, scientists believe they can measure happiness as if it were something concrete, but it is not in fact. How do you think it would be possible to measure an abstract concept?
Though it is not an easy job, happiness can be reached by building it. In the article ‘The Science of Happiness’, by Mike Rudin, many psychologists argue that we need to find fulfilment through having goals that are interesting to work on and which use our strengths and abilities. I find this statement rather interesting as I think happiness can be reached and built. It is just a matter of working it out by having positive thoughts and enjoying every little moment of life as if it were the last one.
Many neuroscientists claim that happiness is not just a vague concept but a state that can actually be measured. The American psychologist Professor Ed Diener says the measures are not perfect yet but they are in many ways as the measures economists use. However, I think we should not forget we are talking about feelings and not about something concrete. Happiness is one of the greatest philosophical uncertainties and I consider the idea of people wanting to measure happiness rather frivolous.
The real meaning of life cannot be found in the money we have. Professor Oswald at Warwick University says that we need £50000 to make up for not having friends. Nevertheless, I think the people we love could never be replaced by money. There are people who may have all the comfort money can offer them but if they are alone, it is hard to believe they are happy. No matter what it is said, money will never be more important than love, friendship or having meaning in life.
Scientists believe happiness can have a huge effect on people’s standard of living. According to Professor Diener, the evidence suggests that ‘happy people live longer than depressed people’. I find this fact rather obvious as happy people enjoy the pleasure of living and they look for meaning in their lives, whereas the unhappy group goes through a state of suffering that makes them see everything in a negative way without realizing that there are solutions for their problems. The only thing they can do is to try to have a positive vision of life and believe their situation will be better.
All in all, I think the idea of measuring happiness is rather unrealistic and cold but some of the elements proposed in order to find it can be helpful. People need to know that happiness really exists. Some of us find it; some others are still looking for it, but who knows? It is said that in order to reach happiness you need to be able to see it and not to look for it.