This. Empathy.
I really didn't read Stephy's OP as "all happy people," but rather a very limited scope, the few who, like Romy describes, have a complete disconnect with reality, the "everything is bubblegum and pink cotton candy Pegasus poop clouds." Also the assumption that she's probably speaking of someone she interacts with enough to be given some indication of what does -- or doesn't go on in their head.
I'm going to use Fran (the fainting goat Fran
) as an example -- of a wonderful "happy" person who has great empathy and a firm grasp that yes, crap happens and sometimes it rains down all over you and it's okay to react with some anger, frustration, sadness, etc., even a little wallowing for a bit, then acknowledges it, FACES it and then finds a way to work through it or even simply casts it aside. I wouldn't describe Fran as a happy person; I'd describe her as
joyous, because hers comes from deep within, and is centered in her own being, not dependent on what happens TO her or around her.
Sparks is another. So is Hannah.
They are both joys to be around, and, along with their innate joy, they both have great
empathy.