Posted on 07/05/2024 9:53:13 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
When Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that our unalienable rights include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he had a very specific definition of happiness in mind. He believed that happiness was the result of living virtuously — that becoming a fully happy human required devoting yourself to service to your fellow beings.
His words galvanized generations of Americans to seek out their own personal well-being. Yet the happiness we pursue today is a far cry from that which Jefferson envisioned. It’s putting us in conflict with ourselves, and with others.
Modern Americans have been conditioned to believe that happiness is something that we get for ourselves, by ourselves, through achieving material wealth, personal success and individual gratification. I call this belief Old Happy. It is powered by systems of individualism, capitalism and domination that have fueled our culture for generations.
Growing up in this individualistic culture, we are taught to see ourselves as separate from other people. We’re taught that happiness comes from focusing more and more on ourselves and that we can perfect and grow this happiness through personal achievement. This does not work. In one 2015 study, researchers tried to understand why Americans who aggressively pursued happiness were, in fact, more likely to be lonely and depressed. It was because they believed that focusing on themselves was the secret to finding happiness.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
More government and less freedom is certainly NOT the solution to finding happiness. However, Americans in general are too obsessed with wealth, technology and material possessions, and are missing out on the true sources of happiness and fulfillment. God, family and community. This why liberals are so miserable, and they are trying to tear down the sources of our happiness.
Socialist Bernie spewing the age old leftist spittle envy and blame the rich class warfare crap. Leftist victim mentality and envy against the ‘rich’ is for losers in life. The American dream has been that one can work hard and aspirations to accomplish goals even modest ones as to live a good life with enough funds to get by if that’s all one wants. We should only despise the rich if they engage in oppressing others to achieve their own devious ends like George Soros.
Oh, I’m so glad you posted this article from The Los Angeles Times on how to secure happiness.
I plan to read every word. Twice. And put into practice what they say to do.
Thanks comrade.
Yeah, I am happy when nothing is meddling and restricting my freedom.
These people can go to hell.
Well said. The collectivists will oppose anything that enhances personal freedom and enjoyment. Be it land use , private property, personal autos, real food, air conditioning, creative and critical expression, etc etc, the inherently miserable collectivists do all they can to stop you.
Did you read comment #1, Comrade?
“True happiness is collective.”
There is truth in that. I no longer feel interested, compelled, or even comfortable being around people I know nothing about. If I go to an event where I know the people, even if it is in the hundreds or thousands, I have no problem.
But going to a sporting event, outdoor festival, even going into a city and walking around, I am not interested. I used to do all those things.
Now, I am more inclined to go into my private back yard, lay in my hammock, and read a book.
No doubt, for people like me, that is just what the Elites have in mind.
Yes...EXACTLY like them.
Exactly.
And they have a lot of people following them who don’t get that, and sheep-like, follow them blindly. Or ignorantly.
Collectivism aka Communist
LA Times article reads like it was written by Kamalalala Harris!
exactly, everyone I know lives their lives like that (if they can afford to)
Their homes have all been turned into safe havens they never have to leave.
Their yards have everyone from pools, to swings, to zip lines, slides, home theaters, game rooms, pool tables, etc etc. They even have groceries and other food brought to them (again, if they have the money)
And if they leave... it is to visit a friends home that has the same things.
“Americans can get happier by changing how we pursue happiness.....”
Sounds like a start of an meandering, non sensical speech by the Cackling Co-Pilot aka Willie Brown’s beaotch.
You CANNOT have Personal Freedom without Economic Freedom, and you cannot have Economic Freedom without Personal Freedom.
when we have more of these than the other, then...........................
The cure is tough times. History has shown this leads to slavery or freedom.
Odd that she didn’t mention that Jefferson derived his statement from John Locke’s “life, liberty and property”. I don’t have a reference, but I have seen where some authors have stated that Jefferson modified Locke’s phase to avoid the issue of slaves as property.
My experience has taught me that the acquisition of things is not the key to happiness but freedom is absolutely indispensable. Telling me that I will find happiness by being less selfish, which really means serving the state, is bull crap.
Her hippiness is her happiness...Boink!
Here. This is just for you...
Sorry.
Jefferson was just paraphrasing Locke’s original equation of happiness = property. I suppose he thought the ‘pursuit of happiness’ sounded a little softer than the ‘pursuit of property’; his judgement was properly correct. But if Jefferson had no place telling us property equals happiness, the Times has equally no business telling us it doesn’t.
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