Happiness Defined

 

            Almost always in constant dissatisfaction, mankind is a flawed species. Man is constantly hunting the next thing to make him happy, to fill the emptiness within him. Often, man becomes so entangled in the chase of his ultimate prey, he forgets the simple joy found in the present. He finds pleasure in reaping the rewards of happiness, but his prey (happiness) is difficult to ensnare. Man may finally capture happiness for a time, but like all emotions, it fades to an end.  Separated from his creator, Jesus Christ, man is empty and unfulfilled with no hope. Mankind cannot know true, unending joy outside of his creator.

            In the text ‘On Happiness’, we read that Aristotle believes every man’s common aim seems to be striving for happiness and its constituents (6). He then goes on to claim the constituent parts of happiness are divided into two separate segments: external and internal (7). First, let us focus on the internal constituents of happiness, and interpret what Aristotle meant by this. He defines such components as, “Goods of the soul and body are internal.” (7) The internal parts of happiness not only refer to the spiritual and mental parts of our very existence, but also to our flesh. More in depth, we can explain these internal constituents by describing how we find happiness in who we are and in what we do within our core values, behavior (when we are by ourselves opposed to how we behave towards and around others), and etc. As we reflect on these constituents of happiness, we may find ourselves beginning to question, “Do we only need internal constituents of happiness, or do we need the external parts too, or do we even need either?” Relentlessly hunting, an unsatisfied man cannot be happy with only the internal or external constituents of happiness. No, he needs both, and even then, he still will not fill the ravenous hole found within. However, I believe a truly joyful man can be happy with neither. After all, a happy man does not find his happiness within himself or his external goods- rather, he finds it in Jesus.

            Secondly, let us continue our quest by exploring the external constituents of happiness. Aristotle defines these constituents as, “Good birth, friends, and money are external.” Just as we previously learned the internal components are defined by who we are and the actions we make, we now learn that external components describe a more materialistic view. We may have external constituents of happiness but lack the internal parts or vice versa. This does not mean that a man is not happy, although his spirit may be lined in an array of discontentment. In ‘Happiness’ by Mary Lavine, we follow a mother’s journey with happiness. Not many external things have happened to keep her happy with a deceased husband and father, not to mention an incessantly complaining mother who is riddled with entitlement. However, throughout her entire life, even with a couple mishaps along the way, she seems to remain a constant image of joy. Just as her father before her, she discovers true happiness and contentment. Her children look at her in wonder and muse on how she always shines in joy and speculate as to where this joy originates. One of her daughters, Bea, seems to think this joy is contagious, spread to her mother, from Bea’s grandfather when he died. When Bea’s mother dies, she receives the ‘contagious’ legacy, and finally understands what true happiness is.

            Happiness takes time to find and its moments are fleeting. Oh, how beautiful those precious moments are, and how tainted with grief they can quickly become. I truly do not believe happiness can be completely understood and defined by a man, or even attained on his own. If I were to attempt to define happiness, I would describe it as fleeting emotion. It does not stay in one place but wanders from one grove to another much like the wind does. Only in the midst of sorrow, can man begin to understand what happiness really is in the proper perspective. In sorrow, man begins to realize the prey he hunts. As we begin to understand happiness, we learn that one happy day will not make man happy nor one bad moment make a miserable man. No, it takes time: “For one swallow does not make spring, nor does sunny day; similarly, one day or short time does not make a man blessed or happy.” (Aristotle 8).

            The rewards of happiness are great and mighty, but happiness is as swift as a rabbit, and cunning as a fox. Its price can be great for it often hides behind a mask of deception. It deceives us into thinking we can always have it, hovering over man as an addiction on or a drug. Happiness often masquerades as something it is not, and mankind naively chases after its illusion. The joy which stays inside us, whole and true, does not come from the illusion of happiness, but rather as gift from Jesus Christ. Only He can fill the hole inside us with what we seek to fill with happiness.