Happiness

What is happiness? If we mean by it a state of fulfillment, when everything is going our way, in terms of results as well as efforts (which requires a providential combination of pluck and luck), then it cannot simply be willed; it is partly, if not largely, a gift of fate.

Having said this, even this sort of happiness is a product of positive thinking and positive action, with good fortune lending a helping hand. In short, it is a product of will in relatively favorable circumstances. But isn't it peculiar to imply that happiness can be of one sort or another? Are there not simply happiness and unhappiness? I think not. The sort of happiness that the sage talks about is compatible with misfortune. It is preeminently a doing from within ? while without, the only prerequisite for it is that the sage be alive and capable of thought. It is a feeling of serenity, of being at peace with his situation and his conscience, as a well-adjusted and fully committed servant of life, of humanity, of God as he sees them.

However conscious he is of the subjectiveness ? i.e., the individual limitations and hence the imperfection ? of his view, he does live by it with utmost faithfulness, if also with a willingness to reevaluate it critically when he catches himself out in a misstep. His wisdom is forever a work in progress; it is always laced with some form of foolishness, which leaves him open to ridicule. Humility and compassion, plus humor are therefore qualities that he cultivates. He mocks and forgives himself, and above all strives to improve. He shows no complacency, but an acceptance of his humanness that he is intent on bringing to the highest possible degree of truth and nobility. And this delicate blend of resignation and struggle alone ? in any situation, favorable or not ? is indeed the secret of his happiness, which admittedly is a dry manner of joy that fills the mind rather than the heart.

It follows that this happiness leaves something to be desired: happiness in the fullest sense of the word (a state of fulfillment, when everything is going our way, in terms of results as well as efforts), which is a joy, ever so sweet, that fills both the mind and the heart. When the sage experiences this supreme happiness, he rightly feels blessed, and knows how precarious it is. Furthermore, he accepts this precariousness, or the fact that suffering and ultimately death loom ahead. Only battles are won in the war of life that will inevitably ? despite every valiant effort to prevail ? end in defeat.

Some will say that happiness in its so-called fullest sense leaves something more to be desired: the power to make this happiness infinite: immeasurably great and unlimited in duration. Among them, some will choose the path of faith, which allegedly leads to a heavenly afterlife, whereas some will choose the path of reason, which admits of no rosy belief based on wishful thinking and unbridled trust. This path leads nowhere as far as the beyond is concerned, or rather somewhere that is unknown ? presumably so different from what is known that it totally exceeds our ability to conceive of its nature.

I count among these proponents of reason, these infidels, to whom the only source of meaning is not a paradisiacal destination, whose existence is supported by no credible evidence, but the journey itself, a rugged and uphill journey to be sure, with an abundance of twists and turns, some of which are propitious, others not. This journey is well worth the trouble, in my opinion. It is so independently of the above-mentioned destination, which people are free to pursue blindly or regard with skepticism (and with detachment to boot, in the best case scenario). It is all about the dignity of living and loving and the pleasure of succeeding in these difficult assignments. From this perspective, the purpose of life is none other than life itself, in partnership with our fellow creatures; and happiness is made possible ? within certain limits ? by our striving to achieve this worthy, albeit humble purpose.

The limits imposed upon worldly happiness may initially stick in our craw, but after due consideration, as we realize that life without these limits would be death, we accept them, and better still we welcome them. Life is by definition a dynamic state that presupposes a perpetual tension between desires and their satisfaction. Render this satisfaction absolute, you resolve this tension and consequently reduce life to nothing; i.e., something as inert as a stone. And this nothing ? this inert something ? is death, as I just pointed out. Not a brilliant prospect in the eyes of a life lover!

Laurent Grenier's writing career spans over twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened his worldview, by dint of much reflection and study, and in the end has crafted "A Reason for Living," his best work to date.

Official web site: http://laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html

---

Laughter

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."... Read More

Top 25 Happiness Quotations

"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a... Read More

Finding Your Life Purpose

You have a purpose in life. You have a unique... Read More

Keys to Happiness

"Happiness is the whole aim and end of human... Read More

Impractical Magic

Witchcraft is a messy, expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient way to... Read More

Choose Happiness

It's a beautiful spring day in Beverly Hills, California. I'm... Read More

Giving Attention To Happiness

When I left England in 2000 there did not seem... Read More

Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul

Flowers are a simple, sincere and unobtrusive way to lift... Read More

Sweeten Up Your Life

Sometimes life experiences can be like a lemon-flavored Tootsie Roll... Read More

Getting In Touch With Your Inner Feelings

Every disease or ailment, whether it be cancer, diabetes, arthritis,... Read More

Life or Lifestyle?

"When you live the life you were meant to live,... Read More

Suffering and Happiness

The one feature that sets life on Earth apart from... Read More

Body, Mind, and Soul

Being in tune with your mind, body, and soul and... Read More

5 Fabulous B?s for the Happiest You!

Sure it sounds easy? "Be happy." Let's face it there... Read More

Top 10 Secrets for Being HAPPY!

One of my favorite songs is Bobby McFerrin's refrain, "Don't... Read More

Happiness Versus Pleasure

We are a pleasure seeking society. Most of us spend... Read More

The Most Beautiful Flowers

The most beautiful flowers, in conjunction with their design and... Read More

Creating Happiness

Whatever we want in life, a partner, more money, good... Read More

7 Things Happy People Know How To Do

Ever notice how some people just seem to be able... Read More

Find Shortcuts To Happiness

If someone said you could feel inner peace and joy... Read More

Divining Your Life Path Number

The Life Path is determined by the sum that is... Read More

How to Find True Happiness!

To maintain an unchangeable sweetness of disposition, to think only... Read More

Do You Love Yourelf?

Learning to love yourself isn't easy - especially if you... Read More

Life Management Skills for Greater Happiness

"Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but... Read More

Having Fun with Life

It was just a few degrees shy of swimming weather... Read More

7 Keys to a Happy Life

1. Do not act in order to receive a payoff.This... Read More

Things To Do To Beat The Blues

As moms we all tend to get the blues, we... Read More

Live Happily Ever After!

So many people overwork themselves literary in the quest for... Read More

Uncovering Your Joy: Using a Personal Journal to Discover a Life Filled with Happiness

Author Tristine Rainer wrote "Happiness within a diary has less... Read More

Getting Connected

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise... Read More

A Great Life? How to Score Your Life

Is your life really the life you want?Quickly determine how... Read More

5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks! #2

In Key Reason #1 we looked at how you are... Read More

The Golden Moments in Life

This month I'm going to talk about something I've never... Read More