Characteristics provide those lower rungs on the ladder. At this stage in the discussion, we need something close, on which to grab lower rungs on the ladder that can be reached in our initial steps toward understanding and attaining true happiness. And, finding words for life can help us become more intentional in the pursuit of our aims. In fact, it is closer than we think, and for the most part, I believe this reflection will merely provide words to describe what people have already lived. “Happiness,” she replied, “Well, good luck with that.”Īs fool hardy as it may seem in 1500 words, connecting this lofty idea to everyday life, is possible. The usual reaction when I described the topic for my next article was like the one I received from a close friend. That is not to say that definitions themselves are unimportant, just that they lack potency in such an early discussion about the subject. In taking on the topic of happiness my intention is not to conclude with a succinct definition, dusty and detached from human affairs, but rather to describe its key attributes to bring the concept down to earth. Addressing that topic will be the center of this short reflection.
But, this left open the question about the object of this pursuit, happiness itself. In the last article on happiness, I proposed the pursuit of happiness as a path toward living an integrated life in an increasingly technological world.