Health And Happiness

These are the only two things that matter.

Consider health.  We’re not limiting it to just not being sick or injured.  Health is life.  What do we need for life?  Breathable air, drinkable water, nourishing food, adequate shelter and clothing to protect us from the elements, enough of a stable society to provide for the general welfare (i.e., mutual support and aid in difficult times).

Forget Maslow's hierarchy of needs; provide the basics and everything else is possible.

Which leads us to happiness.

What is happiness?  It’s contentment in one’s situation.

That covers a lot of territory,

There are some who feel content with very little materially, who harbor no ambitions other than to sit peaceably under their own roof, a cup of tea in their hands, relaxing and enjoying the simple pleasures.

Others are far more ambitious, far more demanding.  Begrudge no one their pleasure sp long as that pleasure doesn’t harm innocent people or put them at risk of harm.

When individuals start hurting people -- be they Ed Gein or Elon Musk -- they must be thwarted.

Everyone deserves the right to set goals and standards for themselves that they hope will bring them satisfaction.  Too often, alas, we find those goals and standards fail to bring that satisfaction. 

As the old saw goes, “Better to want what you got than get what you want.”

But we as individuals need to be able to make that choice, even if we end up choosing something somebody else espouses.

Millions find happiness and satisfaction subscribing to causes led by others, and as long as those causes do no harm, nothing wrong with that.

But the choice to follow must always be a freely given personal choice, not a fate forced on us.

Ironically, many find happiness and satisfaction even in deprivation.

They find it because they choose to find it; happiness and satisfaction are the goals, and once those goals are named, the method of obtaining them is immaterial.

This is not a new concept.  The Declaration of Independence includes the phrase “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  Understand life is health and health is life, and that the greatest happiness often is found in the pursuit, not the obtaining.

Liberty here serves more as a verb, not a noun, just the simple ability to choose for ourselves as we seek happiness in fulfilling our goals and dreams.

© Buzz Dixon