A Pursuit of Happiness
© Helena Lind · Filed Under Features · Add your comment
The outstanding phrase to having the right to “Life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness” can be found in the United States Declaration of
Independence stated as inalienable rights of man.
Is that not great and
enlightened? I’d sign that any day of the week.
The pursuit let alone finding
of happiness is a noble cause as it excludes most bad and ugly notions man is
capable of.
Who would need to run around as warmongering greedy guts if the
pursuit of happiness would keep us busy?
Perhaps that is why it is mentioned
in the Declaration of Independence?
The need for prioritisation and to try to
avoid the effects of lower instincts?
Add a positive focus? Good
idea.
But is happiness the same to all people? What consists and
constitutes of happiness? Can we define it? Let me name a few
elements:
Health and well being, our loved ones and our own?
To love and
to be loved?
Freedom to do what is right?
Ability do do what needs to be
done?
The talent to be able to accept matters beyond
our control?
No, I do not mention success or material
pleasures.
Happiness and lots of money are not synonymous.
Full
stop.
But : is there a price to pay for happiness? If so, why and
what?
Well, there is no free lunch in this world yet the good news is that in
the realm beyond things are done differently.
Though brownie points do not
hurt.
Not too much is asked. You are expected to at least try to be as good
as possible in your pursuit for you know what.
Allow me to digress
a little to one of my favourite philosopers – Plato.
He defined being good or
human goodness with a splendid extra angle. Plato saw that it is not enough to
stay clear of doing bad and do nothing. Nope.
We should be willing and active
always pursuing to CAUSE THE GOOD. He called it GOODITY.
Practising
goodity is a sure road to joy. All we got to do is walk with this in
mind.
Scientists of late claim that happiness might be just a
genetic factor. You’ve got it or you don’t – if so congratulations – if not
tough luck you miserable whatsitcalled?
What next? Love and ability to hope
and to long for a positive life also a matter of genes?
Not in my
book.
Why do most people since when I first came to this planet about 12000
years ago then raise their eyes and aspiration towards the same light?
Why is
the pursuit for happiness one of mans’ strongest movers?
Why is it there in
the first place?
Where I come from we believe happiness to be the natural
habitat or biotope for the travelling soul. As we all know full well the state
of happiness from the place we all come from and go to on a regular basis. I am
not refering to Bob’s bar or the mall mates.
And while I am at it:
there is no going to a place downstairs neither in a handcart or a
Maybach.
A very worthy way to perform the legendary pursuit is to
in the sometimes likely absence of happiness never cease to believe in, hope for
and look out for its many forms.
Have I mentioned the importance of
the MIZPAH way of thinking?
This article published by MIZPAH Magazine - ©2010 www.mizpah.tv
© Helena Lind
Love your POW on happiness, more please.