THERE have been requests for further information on the article entitled: “Happiness – the elusive state on mind” published in the Jamaica Observer of May 18. While we are pleased to oblige, we would remind readers that they may find our perspective controversial, and they should understand that our views are subjective but are relative to mankind in general, so with that understanding, please read on!

The lifelong quest of mankind is possibly the most elusive search for life’s treasure that is happiness, which is a state of mind arising from the beneficial mental qualities of contentment, confidence, security and active goodwill, that together create a state of equanimity frequently described as “peace of soul”, soul being the principle of life with its two faculties, namely intelligence and free will. The experience of searching discovers the pleasure of finding as well as the pain of losing that affects the lives of every individual on the planet, regardless of their circumstances or station in life.

The normal span of life from birth to death establishes the two extremes of our existence on earth. Recall the joy that accompanies the birth of a child in contrast with the grief associated with the passing of a loved one. Within this time span there have been moments when we recognise momentarily high points of satisfaction, which eventually dissipate over time as other activities come into life’s sharper focus.

Happiness can be active or passive. When active it includes the joy of sharing, receiving and giving; while passive it consists of security and possession. A balanced life is the happiest life, and many unhappy people, if honest unto themselves, can trace their misery to an imbalance in the quality of their lives.

Examine the mentality of those severely disadvantaged or gravely ill people who, not in anger or in despair at the absence of a cure for their grievous ailments, have achieved euphoria which sustained them during the remaining time of their journey through life. The beneficiaries of this superior quality of happiness can be seen in their thousands each year, at the great Christian shrines of Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal, where many token trappings of their disablement now abandoned, for example, crutches, wheelchairs and other orthopaedic devices are left on display as testimony of the efficacy of their deliverance as they walked away as a once more healthy human being.

In contrast, the treacherous drug culture seduces an alarming number of seemingly intelligent people to a usually shortened life span filled with disillusionment, torment and ultimate despair. For them happiness is illusory and occurs briefly during the “highs” before the intolerable “lows” take effect.

The quest for happiness requires planning, as one cannot wander aimlessly through life and expect to find it. There will be difficulties to confront, otherwise the satisfaction of achievement, which is one of the most potent ingredients of happiness, will elude us. In lifetime strategic planning, pay attention to the little things. Deflate quickly after being praised, for the society is already bloated with arrogance.

Bounce back quickly from disappointment and seize those opportunities which put your special abilities to work. Seek excellence in everything attempted, and remember, if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well! Remain modest, and above all renew and revise progress periodically against your lifetime strategic plan. Happy events and happy people don’t come into our lives with a fanfare of trumpets. They enter quietly, almost unnoticed.

Happiness loves action which includes some form of worthwhile activity, regardless or your age. Life demands work, but happiness necessitates dreaming, planning, aspiring and progressing from one achievement to another greater still. Idleness is a distressing state which leads only to a sense of futility. Our delight is the sense of satisfaction which follows strenuous effort. Those who cling to the status quo have no place in the search for happiness, as nothing is ever gained without hard work and won without a struggle. The ingredients which help to create happiness such as health, wealth, honour or success in business are in themselves neutral. They are good or bad, according to the use we make of them. If a person does not know how to use them, it is then better to be without them. To be avoided in times of failure and deep disappointment is self-pity, which is the arch destroyer of character.

We should find comfort that happiness is attainable during the human lifetime, no matter how fleeting it might be. One day we shall find ourselves in eternity wondering where all the years went. It is then we rejoice that happiness was attained before the transition referred to so eloquently by Robert Browning thus:

“Fear death? To feel the fog in my throat,

The Mist in my face,

When the snows begin, and the blasts denote

I am nearing the place, the power of the night, the press

Of the storm, The post of the foe,

Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form,

Yet the strong man must go:

For the journey is done and the summit attained,

And the barriers fall,

Though a battle’s to fight ere the guerdon be gained,

The reward of it all.”

Ageing is a date with destiny that all of us must keep. However, it is a date to be enjoyed happily and cherished as long as possible, as it is our last hurrah!