What does this sentence mean?

[Silverobama]

Hi,

What does this sentence mean?


Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.


Thanks a lot

[azcl]

***Not a teacher***

'To make up ones mind' means to decide something. So...

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

is implying that if you decide to be happy, you probably will be. If you decide to be depressed, then this will probably result in you being so.

'How happy a person is, will often be influenced by how happy they decide to be'

Ade

[Silverobama]

Thanks a lot, but how to understand the "as happy as", can you tell me?

[Raymott]

Thanks a lot, but how to understand the "as happy as", can you tell me?

It's the comparative. as ... as ...
... as red as a cherry; as cold as ice; as skinny as a lamp post; as happy as a pig in mud
... as happy as [that which] you decide to be.