WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19035, 2 April 1930, Page 13

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

By L. G. BURBANK. If we will look with our eyes really open and . our minds alert we will find that there is a sound scientific basis for every human condition and emotion; there is a sound scientific basis and reason for happiness, and when 3 r ou know what that basis or reason is you have made the first step towards making real happiness your own. Simply put, happiness consists in the normal response of any organism—whether fish or flower, bird or animal, tree or child—to its surroundings. The plant that is too crowded, the dog that is beaten or starved, the child that is sick, cannot respond normally to its surroundings, therefore it cannot avoid unhappiness. On the other hand, the rose that persists in running too. much to stalk, the dog that is cross or quarrelsome, the child that is selfish or wilful, is giving an abnormal response to its surroundings and sacrificing happiness. Any abnormal response to environment produces a very definite decrease in permanent happiness. Happiness is growth and progress; pain comes from retarded mental or physical development. Happiness is a nicely adjusted balance between ambition and contentment. Happiness depends (we cannot say this too often ! ) upon one’s attitude towards life—that is, towards one’s surroundings. An understanding of the laws of Nature and man’s place in Nature's scheme, then a serene, cheerful acceptance of those laws and a thoughtful adjustment to them tend to peace and perfect happiness. One of these laws is what -we call the Law of Compensation: perhaps it is almost the most important one. It contains the truth that we get what we give and receive what we seek in others and offer to others. Hard work is happiness if we work without physical or emotional tension. Happiness comes from accepting circumstances as we meet them and from making the best of them. Happiness comes from seeking to improve ones own condition and the condition of those around one. Happiness comes from a realisation that The Golden Rule is the one best guide in life. Happiness comes from self-restraint and selfcontrol. A heart of love for all life is happiness. The sun, moon and stars, the blue sky, the fragrant forest, the dashing stream or the sounding ocean, mountains, valleys, green meadows, flowers, birds and friends, are capable of filling us with joy and happiness. ; But these things are not like an entertainment, presented from the stage for its to lean back and enjoy selfishly. ; These things are throbbing life, into which we must enter and in which we must participate, if we would get their ■ value from them for ourselves, giving ( as we receive! Happiness is a shy bird; if we chase . it with too much haste and as the sole object of life, it eludes us forever. Its < coming is by indirection. We seek - success, and the attainment of it has a 3 temporary power to satisfy us. But presently we realise that it is not reach- ; ing the goal that has made us happy. 1 but the striving and the struggle and i the contest! What is true success, the attainment of which brings satisfaction ] and the struggle for which insures hap- i piness? Why, it is a long life filled < with kindness and with good work hon- 1 estly done for ourselves and for others. (Anglo-American N.S. Copyright ) j ~ !