Irrespective Jubilation

“It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment, it is in the happiness of pursuit.” ~ Denis Waitley

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”[1] Historical writings are intriguing and inspirational because we see that which has already been done and realize that we also have the capability to achieve.  The pursuit of happiness; sounds like an ennobling cause, let’s take an excursion into history and how the pursuit of happiness turned out in the past.

Since the Dot Com boom of the 1990’s America has been indulging in the pursuit of happiness via VISA’s , yes the accessibility of credit has allowed Americans to “pursue their happiness” to some devastating extremes.  Fact, the increase in personal debt in America in just the 2^nd quarter of 2011 was $18.4 Billion[2].  At this rate nearly two TRILLION dollars would have accumulated over the last 20 years, but frankly we have far exceeded that amount.  To really understand the devastation that has and is continuing to take place, I recommend you visualize these numbers at this (http://demonocracy.info) info graphic website.

Okay, so maybe the “pursuit of happiness” isn’t all that it’s made out to be fame and fortune are fleeting and depleting, so what are we supposed to pursue?  I purpose a simple word substitution by placing ‘joy’ where happiness now stands.  Doesn’t seem to make a difference does it?  But, I assure you it makes all the difference.   Happiness is derived from your mood, and your mood comes from your situations.  Whereas joy is situationally-independent, it’s irrespective of your circumstances.  Even the great founding father Benjamin Franklin surmised to say, “Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.”  My friends I posit to you that the exchange of happiness with newfound joy will ensue contentment. 

Joy isn’t really a new concept, it’s just a rare and exceptional concept; employed by rare and exceptional people.  Like when Stephen R. Covey realized that circumstances don’t matter and that there is joy in contentment ultimately come from our proactive ability to respond, and so challenged to lay aside our instinctive reaction.  In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen summarized this profound revelation, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday… Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions...nothing can hurt me...no one can hurt me without my consent.”[3]

And after enduring the worst of circumstances Viktor Frankl still said, “Man is not fully conditioned and determined, but rather determines himself whether he gives in to his conditions or stands up to them.  In other words man is ultimately self-determining.  Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment.”  Victor had an even more deliberating perspective on happiness as well as success, “For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or a person greater than oneself.”[4]

In the book of John, Jesus counseled, “no one will take away your joy.” ~ NIV John 16:22b While in a roman prison the apostle Paul chimed in to share his discovery with the Philippians, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ~ NIV Philippians 4:12b-13

Finally Viktor Frankl challenged, “Your circumstances don’t matter.  You have in you the inherent ability to seek God’s purpose each and every day of your life.  God gave us free will, so the choice is yours.  The only obstacle to seeking and finding fulfillment is you.”

So what will it be; short term happiness or contentment and excellence in the’ pursuit of joy’?

Sincerely,

--

^“15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” ~ NIV Joshua 24:15

Jordan D. Ulmer

Cited:

1. "Declaration." The Declaration of Independence. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. <http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/>.
2. Ellis, Blake. "Credit Card Debt Surges by $18.4 Billion in Second Quarter." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 22 Sept. 2011. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. <http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/21/pf/credit_card_debt/index.htm>.
3. Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. Boston: Beacon, 1992. Print. 
4. Covey, Stephen R. "Habit 1: Be Proactive." The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989. 66-94. Print.