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Independence and the Pursuit of Happiness
Happy July 4th to my fellow U.S. Americans! I invite you to read the wonderful reflection on Independence Day offered by my nun Sister Maxine Kollasch, IHM, on our IHM website.
Sister Maxine reflects on the meaning of the line “the pursuit of happiness” from the Declaration of Independence, a right which the early American community was willing to (and many did) die for.
Check out the thought-provoking questions at the end of her reflection and feel free to offer your responses here.
What makes you happy? How is your happiness connected with the happiness of your family, your neighborhood, your professional or spiritual community? In what ways are you seeking to pursue happiness as an individual and as part of a world community?
Enjoy your hotdogs, picnics, family, friends, baseball games, and fireworks!
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Provocative question, Sr. Julie, in that do we really ever ask ourselves what makes us happy or just react to the “happiness” factor and go on with it – at least that is how I am thinking about this. For me, being happy makes me happy because the euphoric feeling just keeps feeding itself and projecting the same to those around me.
To be honest, I had read Sr. Maxine’s post a couple days ago and flitted past the questions. When I read your post, it was a serendipitous moment!
But what really makes me happy? Humm..going to Mass, praying, doing something unexpected for someone and seeing their smile, driving with the windows down and the radio up, working with a local community shelter/food pantry, playing with my two dogs, spending time with friends, drinking a really creamy hot latte (or a glass of Merlot), relaxing with a good book, and sometimes just sitting on the deck watching the grass grow can give such a feeling of peace = happiness.
Guess these perhaps mundane qualities of life build into who I am and so how I relate to the world and to others both personally and professionally. There is, though, a nagging thought that has become quite loud in my head that I could be doing more with both my life and for others. I’ve recently begun to explore this and feel – this is hard to describe – an awakening or blooming of something greater inside me. Hope that doesn’t sound conceited as I don’t mean at all to come across like that.
Hi Sue, Doesn’t sound conceited at all — sounds like you are being invited/called into something more or something new. It’s like finding a new capacity within yourself that maybe was always there but now you are being called to give it recognition, develop it, live out of it. Your comment makes me think that being happy is different from being content. It sounds like some of what makes you happy is also the same things that urge you to something more. Never really thought about it that way but now you’ve got me thinking!
Perhaps it is trite, but happiness is internal and depends upon one’s perspective.
There are many who seem “to have everything,” but happiness eludes them (one has only to read the headlines).
There are many more who seem “to have nothing,” but happiness permeates them.
One of the crucial perspectives that one needs to have is “thankfulness” for what one does have.
An African maxim states: Rather than curse God for the man-eating lion, it is better to thank God for not giving them wings.
“Happiness” should not be a destination. Rather, it is something we can choose to bring with us on our journey. It provides sustenance and comfort just as water and a sleeping bag do.
I think our destination is to have lived a life in accordance with God’s will.
Of course, different faiths (and members within the same faith) might disagree about what that is, and discerning God’s will for you individually is always a challenge, but for many, Micah (6:8) is a concise premise: What does God require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Hello Sr. Julie,
You are correct – for the most part I am driven to experience additional happiness by the things that make me happy in the first place.
I agree with you that sometimes happiness and contentedness are not always experienced at the same time. Occassionally discontent wanders into my life; I’ll explore those feelings and ask myself why/what etc. Sometimes talk with a friend but most often am able to let it go.
I really like what David K had to say: ““Happiness” should not be a destination. Rather, it is something we can choose to bring with us on our journey. It provides sustenance and comfort just as water and a sleeping bag do. ” Well said!
P.S. Noticed there was another Sue on your blog so I’ve changed to one of my nicknames – Suze.