What is Happiness

I am listening to one of those funny guys that do a little news while they are taking shots at everyone in the world that is involved in politics. Or, actually, anyone that has stepped out in the open arena of life and is trying to make a difference. These intelligent and humorous fellows have a pulpit, so to speak, that we give them simply because of their unique ability to make us laugh at the decisions of those in public service.

However when history is written …about all the people these comedians have made a living cracking jokes about…they, the comics, will not be recorded in it…they will not even be mentioned…because as far as I can tell not many have ever done much to actually improve our world. They are not really seeking truth…they are merely seeking laughter and good ratings and great financial reward.

Sitting on a stage and railing…stone throwing...is not doing...they are not doers...they are talkers…these comics are there to make us laugh and they are getting very rich by merely espousing their opinions in a humorous way…so we watch…we give them a strange credibility….and we do it simply because they…can… make us laugh.

As I am listening to this obvious talent for thinking and conversation, I began to compare its value to a conversation I had today with a young business associate. This person was not throwing stones at anyone but instead had set their mind to working on some of life’s serious and complex issues. After talking for a few minutes… they ask …What is happiness? I did not have an automatic answer… I wanted to tell them something profound…maybe even a little humorous…like the guy on this show…wrap it up in one nice sentence and say “Here it is…here is the answer you have been looking for all your life.” But…I couldn’t…I could sense the weight of the question…it was loaded with other concerns like “How do we know… for sure… what will make us happy?” “How can I know I am making decisions that will bring happiness?” This person was not looking not for a punch line or a famous quote…but for applicable truth…that could be applied today…right now. Real answers…something the comic was not offering.

But here are a few thoughts to consider. Maybe a happy life is not one that has the answers but is one that truly lives through the mix of good things and hard things that life presents to us…one that thrives in the middle of the storm and celebrates the sunny days…one that is hit hard…but refuses to fall…one that touches others along the way…one that is willing to do what they think is right…regardless of popular opinion…even funny ones…they choose to live life to its fullest…to bring meaning to every day…they make bad decisions and then make better ones…they fall in disgrace and rebound in faith.

Sometimes we think happiness can only be found in another person…and there is no doubt that life is better when you have a hand that you can hold…a shoulder on which you can cry…but…maybe… even more important…and maybe...where true happiness exist… is in seizing the opportunity to be the hand that can be held or the willing shoulder that accepts the tears.

The comedian is wrapping up his show now…he has saved a few of his hardest hitting criticisms …wrapped in some of his best punch lines… for some of our world leaders…those uncommon folks who are actually making a difference ...this...a snapshot of what we see played out everyday. The critics and the doers.

The contrast of these two conversations is stark… the comedian spent 30 minutes taking shots at others…getting paid millions…the young business associate spent a day working on becoming a more valuable and useful person…getting paid by the hour.

Maybe the question is not… what is happiness… but instead…what brings happiness…or better yet…who brings happiness…someone who makes us laugh at others…or…the person who held another’s hand…the person who accepted the tears on their shoulder…the person who is not just looking for love but is looking for ways to give it away. Maybe…true happiness is not a good laugh or even something to attain…but instead…maybe…happiness… in its purest form…is when… you create it in others.

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Jesus