The “Pursuit” of Happiness

I swear I didn’t yank the title from the Will Smith movie of the same name (great movie, by the way).

July 4th

Every year, we celebrate our Independence Day on July 4th. Of all that’s written in the Declaration, the most powerful words say that we have the unalienable right to the “pursuit of happiness.” Jefferson was brilliant in writing this because he didn’t say we had a “right to happiness,” but a right to the “pursuit of happiness.”

Those phrases are so different because the former says that we should be happy all the time, and the latter assumes that we may never be happy. What’s important is that we get the chance and opportunity to make ourselves happy.

For some . . .

For lots of people, happiness is a goal in life. They actively chase it and won’t stop until they get it. The goal ambiguous though, leading them on a perpetual chase.

For others, happiness is a state of mind. External factors do not matter, and regardless of what life throws their way, they can mentally repel the negative and focus on the positive.

Some people equate money with happiness. Their lives are more comfortable when they can afford everything. Sometimes these people buy anything and everything, but sometimes they don’t. They grasp money and hold onto it as if their life depended on it.

People find happiness in their jobs. Even the simplest jobs can make people happy. The chance to do something for a purpose provides meaning to people’s lives. The job doesn’t have to pay a lot (or it can), but the daily grind is something to look forward to.

Some people find happiness in their children or their grandchildren.

Others find happiness in God.

Some find happiness in other people’s happiness. Success and joy in friends and family is enough to invigorate a sense of happiness within ourselves.

And sometimes, just knowing that you’re alive is enough to make you happy.

Unalienable

The point is, people find different paths to happiness. And they would never get there if they never had a chance. Even if they fail, at least they had the opportunity to pursue that happiness. They had a chance to figure out what makes them happy. And the pursuit of happiness is something that no one can take away.