According to Gallup, our "happiness levels" are at a four-year high—nearly 60 percent all Americans today feel happy. But a study cautions that there's something much more important than happiness—finding meaning or a life purpose. After interviewing nearly 400 Americans, the study found that the two categories overlap, but there is one major difference—happiness focuses on "taking" while meaning/purpose focuses on "giving."

The researchers concluded that happiness is about feeling good. Happy people tend to think that life is easy, they are in good physical health, and they are able to buy the things that they need and want. The pursuit of happiness is also associated with being a "taker." The study stated, "If anything, pure happiness is linked to not helping others in need."

In contrast, "people leading meaningful lives get a lot of joy from giving to others." Having more meaning in life was associated with activities like buying presents for others, taking care of kids, or serving others. People whose lives have high levels of meaning help others even when it comes at the expense of happiness.

So what's your most important goal in life—happiness or meaning? New studies show that having purpose and meaning in life increases overall life satisfaction. And research also shows that the single-minded pursuit of happiness actually makes people less happy.