Putting a mask on does not change my emotional state. I understand that you are saying we should be positive, but I think there is something to say for seeking a balance between positivity and negativity.

I think we make the mistake of making happiness the goal. It also goes down to how you define happiness. Do you define happiness by contentment, or by having everything you want?

My goal isn't happiness, happiness is an emotion, and emotions come and go. I don't want my achievements to be temporary. While yes, I enjoy happiness, that will never be my goal as I view it as an empty goal.

My goal is joy, and I have joy. I can be experiencing any sort of emotion, but still have joy underneath. It's rather hard to explain what I mean by this. Happiness is more of an excitable thing, like a geyser. Joy is more of a bubbling spring.

I am very prone to depression and have gone through very dark times, but throughout those times, I've had joy, which presents itself as hope. Having hope of a better future, and knowledge that things will be alright. And this gives me joy. I can be sad, angry, happy, etc. but still have joy in my heart.

Articulating this is very hard, and I don't think I am conveying it very clearly, however, I hope this makes some sort of sense.

TL;DR- I strive for joy and peace as opposed to striving for an emotional state.