What Is Happiness

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

J.C. Brumfield

A sick woman. I remember a lady in the hospital who was desparately ill. She had been ill a long time and it seemed that progress was slow. She said,"If I could just be well, then I would be the happiest woman in the world." That was her idea of happiness, but there are many healthy people who are not happy.. I have known invalids who were perfectly happy and content.

*The crippled boy. He was a bright little fellow in the orthopedic ward of a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. He looked wistfully out of the window at the children playing in the street, and said, "If I could just walk, I'd be the happiest boy in the world." But you can walk - does that bring you happiness?

*The blind woman. She had undergone surgery on her eyes. The outcome of the operation had not been determined. As the doctor slowly unwound the bandages and suspense mounted, she exclaimed, "If I can just see, I'll be so happy." But is physical sight the foundation for happiness? The man who jumped off the San Francisco Bay Bridge one day could see, but apparently his sight did not bring him contentment.

The poor man. I talked with a man who had lost his job. His little savings account had vanished and bills were mounting high. His family began to be in want. As he stated his problem, he said,"If I just had a little money...just enough to purchase the necessities of life, I'd be happy." But is money the secret of happiness? Many of the richest people are among the most miserable. Perhaps the rich spend more with the psychiatrist tha others.

*The unemployed man said,"If I just had a job I'd be happy," but is work the secret of happiness? Most people have a good job, but it has not brought them contentment.

*A single girl said to me,"If I just had a husband, I'd be happy." Apparently this is not the secret of happiness. There are thousands of women who do not have husbands, but who seem to think that if the judge would grant a release from the marriage it would bring happiness. There are many husbands who would like to be separated from their wives. Does marriage in itself assure happiness?

The general idea seems to be that happiness consists of getting what we do not have. This is the foundation of the problem of discontentment, frustration, and unhappiness - wanting more than what we have, whether it be money, possessions, position, health, or achievement.

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