What Jefferson Really Meant
When you talk with folks about happiness, they often quote Thomas Jefferson’s famous line from the Declaration of Independence about eveyone being entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
We’ve been conditioned to believe that happiness is something for us to pursue.
But that’s not what Jefferson really meant by the pursuit of happiness. In 1776, to “pursue” something meant to practice that activity, to do it regularly to make it a habit.*
*from the book Happy for No Reason by Marci Schimoff
What a difference a definition makes! What Jefferson meant was that we all had the right to practice happiness, not chase after it. (which isn’t very productive anyway!)
Since pychologists tell us that at least 90% of all behavior is habitual, to become happier we need to look at our habits, our daily activities, to affect our happiness level.
We could stop pursuing happiness and start practicing it! And we do that by practicing new habits. We don’t “just decide” to be happy, any more than we can just decide to be fit or be a great violin virtuoso. We can, however, decide to take the necessary steps, like excercising or taking violin lessons. And by practicing those new skills we can get in shape or give recitals.
With enough practice we can train our brain to process the world differently. To see things brighter. Clearer. Fleeting and temporary if need be. “This too shall pass” can become one of our favorite mantras for any seemingly unhappy-making circumstances.
The best thing about practicing happiness is that each and every one of us has the power and the tools to make ourselves happy.
I can do this and so can YOU!
1 Comment
This, too, shall pass. Good affirmation.
AS I have been dealing with some muscle and joint pain, I find that a similar phrase comes to mind: It has come to pass. I mean it is not here to stay. What passes by goes on. So I bid it go. It is not needed or wanted, and I have no use for it.