The Secret of True Happiness
Remember the remarkable preamble to the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America: “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.” It is a highly condensed affirmation of what it means to live a fulfilled life marked with freedom. The document, however, does not tell us what constitutes this happiness that all humans are created to pursue. Suggestions come from different places, shaped by desires and beliefs about what makes someone happy. Some think happiness is found in living completely unfettered by any rule or regulation. Others believe that accumulating a lot of money and things will ensure lasting happiness. Others, still, think that if they could have all they want (not what they need), have the best career, and become famous, they will live in perpetual happiness. While there is a grain of truth in all these positions, none delivers what they promise in an absolute sense. There are people who indulge in every one of their fancies and desires but end up being sick and dying a premature death. Some others have accumulated so many possessions and permit themselves all kinds of luxury. Yet, they feel empty and deeply unhappy in the midst of plenty. And the famous? A good percentage of the famous sustain their fame with drugs and other forms of addiction. And on and on.
Jesus presents us with the true secret of happiness: loving others and improving their lives. It doesn’t get simpler than this. Just like the flower is fulfilled when she beautifies our environment and brings joy to us, so do we, as human beings, find true happiness in loving and serving others. What we have received or acquired must be given away to make the lives of others better. This is the secret of true happiness. That is why those who give are happier than those who accumulate for themselves. Selfishness is a burden that strips us of true happiness. “Love one another as I have loved you” is not a commandment. It reminds us of who we truly are and how we can be truly happy in this life and the next. Because Jesus poured out his life for humanity, the Father raised him and gave him a name above every other name. So, if we are truly his disciples, we must pour out our lives for others in serving and improving their lives. This is the true secret of happiness. May it be our genuine experience. Amen
Fr. Cornelius Okeke