This week I began reading a new novel with my students, Esperanza Rising. This historical fiction novel tells the story of a young girl and her mother who must leave their privileged lives after a tragedy and start over in a new land. In this novel, Esperanza must learn about being patient and dealing with life’s hills and valleys.
In discussing the metaphor of hills and valleys with my students, these questions arose:
What is happiness?
What is the secret to finding it?
Why is it so elusive?
Can you be happy in the valley?
Why does it seem like time in the valley lasts longer than time on the mountain?
Wow! Each year, each group of students in each of my classes always amazes me with their insight. I have said it before in my blog, and I will say it again … I NEVER have enough time to dig deep with these wonderful humans.
We discussed the reality of each life having difficulties – just at different levels and at different times.
Happiness is defined in the dictionary as a state of well-being and contentment: joy.
Why is being content or full of joy so hard to achieve?
In a world where we can have almost anything we could ever possibly need, want, or even imagine, we still struggle for happiness.
Happiness seems to elude most people at some time in their life.
Happiness seems to elude some people their entire life.
What is happiness based on?
Does it have a different meaning depending on the person?
Is happiness a subjective idea?
In 2014, UC Berkley offered a free online class entitled “The Science of Happiness.” Over 40,000 people registered for this course. This semester, Yale University began offering a course entitled, “Psychology and the Good Life.” Over 1,200 students signed up for this course – almost 25% of the undergraduate population.
People are searching for this state of well-being at what seems to be an alarming rate.
We also hear of just the opposite occurring at the same time. Many people are struggling with depression, sadness, and anxiety at such an alarming rate they cannot even begin to think about being happy.
Many of these searchers are young people.
Happiness is a noun.
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea.
Happiness is an idea.
At the end of my teaching day, we had Club Time. I co-sponsor a book club. Not all of the club members are my actual students. We share about our favorite passages, books, and authors. We also debate the movie versions, as well. We even have guest speakers share new books with us. These students began to share in detail how books touched them emotionally. Some books made them literally cry out loud. Some books made them laugh out loud. Some books made them think differently. They each mentioned how much they enjoyed the power of books. While I was listening, I was reminded of the quote “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy books and it’s kind of the same thing.”
Why can’t everyone be happy?
After my day had ended, I visited the funeral home for the viewing of one of my former students. Her mother died suddenly last weekend. She is in high school. She hugged me. She put her head on my shoulder. She thanked me for coming. Then she said, “There is really nothing anyone can do.”
At that moment, all of the day’s conversations began flowing through my mind.
My former student is correct. There is nothing anyone can do to bring her mother back. However, I do think we can help her. We can help each other.
I personally believe we were created by God. In the Bible, it states we were created in His image. If this is this case, we should all be content or joyful. Why aren’t we?
I think we must cultivate our own happiness.
One secret ingredient is giving God the first part of your day.
I know when I personally give all of my struggles to God in prayer, I feel better. I don’t carry that baggage around each and every day.
I think my responsibility is to help lighten someone else’s load. I think when I give my cares to God, he strengthens me. When I am stronger, I then can help care for others. When we help care for others, it makes us feel good. When we feel good, we are happy.
For it is in giving that we receive — Saint Francis of Assisi
It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity —Leo Tolstoy
We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give — Winston Churchill
I believe God wants us helping others. He has given each of us gifts to use and all of us have different gifts.
I am not an expert but I think happiness is a mindset. Our mind is powerful. We were created to withstand everything this life throws at us. We just have to use our gifts.
When we are thankful, we are full of gratitude.
When we are full of gratitude, we are content.
When we are content, joy abounds.
When we are abounding with joy, we can share it with others.
When we share with others, we are helping them.
When we are helping them, we are cultivating our own happiness.
1. Choose Happy
2. Be Thankful
3. Help Those You Can, When You Can
4. Be Intentional
I can’t wait to see what my students help me ponder next week.
#ChooseHappy
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