Happiness

Denmark was recently found to be, by a study on global wellbeing, the happiest country and the most content nation in the world. Researchers pointed out that most of the countries who ranked well on their happy-scale were unsurprisingly those with peaceful democracies. But some might wonder why the correlation between happiness and peaceful political situations didn’t manifest in the ranking of the United States, who is also the richest nation in the world. Listed as the 16th happiest nation on the globe, the good old U.S. of A. obviously has some non-material problems that prevented it from topping the charts in this respect. The reason being? Let’s let Martha Washington answer that: "The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances." And it doesn’t take that long a look around you or in a newspaper to find out that we are also the most spoiled, greedy, impatient, selfish and lazy people on the earth. We also have many redeeming qualities and exercise them in many ways, but we also coast along on the coat-tails of our forefathers’ character, who built this nation upon solid principles and values. Now we simply get to enjoy the fruits of their efforts and courageous acts. We are a country of vast prosperity, and we’ve succumbed to the pitfalls of that condition, costing us our happiness and inner peace. As someone who is searching to find the true meaning of happiness and inward contentment, I am not casting at finger at my fellow Americans, for certainly I am guilty of the aforementioned as well. Many of us struggle with this question – but perhaps the answer is that we simply have not struggled enough. The old adage that “adversity maketh the man, prosperity maketh the monster” is true…we all succumb to hubris, selfishness and greed when things go our way too much. This is not to say that it is wrong when we are successful, or blessed, or prosperous. All of these things are very good, but they have to be tempered with gratitude, humility and a sense of wonder (in the sense that they are not simply expected or demanded). As Ms. Washington said above, happiness depends upon our inner substance and foundation, not what constitutes our outer layers.

I feel that one key to happiness that God has been teaching me recently is the quality of acceptance. As a red head with German in my blood, this is not something that comes naturally for me. I’m hard-headed, and if something goes wrong, I want to DO something about it. If someone stands up to me and counters me, my natural tendency is to be stronger and not back down until they’ve given in. If God thwarts me, my first response is inward anger and on the outside shaking my fist at him. But this is not correct of course, just as stewing over something that didn’t go my way or harboring resentment, bitterness, anger or hurt is wrong and detrimental to my overall well-being and peace. But lately I’ve been very blessed and moved by the simple act of giving over my will – when it is out of line and incorrect – and accepting what comes as what is meant to be. I might as well not fight it – there’s nothing I can do to change it anyway – it’s better to make peace about it. Perhaps this is a simple concept for many, but I’m glad to be learning it now and relinquishing a “control” that I don’t have anyway to the One who does. There is a lot of peace that comes from doing that. If someone can learn to accept the good with the bad and be grateful for that at the same time, I think that person is well on their way to being a happy being. It’s not just the good that happens to you in life that makes you happy, it’s how to handle the bad and prevent it from ruining you or tearing you down.

What also contributes to inward peace and happiness? There are certainly many other conditions and qualities that make for a happy outlook and peaceful existence in life. What are some other characteristics that help this?