Happy
What is "happy"? As I've been examining my heart concerning some weighty matters, I found myself asking this question (perhaps too deeply, some might suggest) when I first inquired concerning my personal happiness. Where is the best place to look for a meaning of the word "happy?" Philosophy, psychology, biology, religion? My grandmother taught me to begin with a dictionary, so to this we will go.
"Happy" is an adjective. Remember: adjectives are words that are used to describe (insert Schoolhouse Rock song here). The root word, "hap" can be a noun or a verb. Old Middle English definitions include "luck, chance, fit [as in "appropriate" or "convenient"], victory." More commonly "hap" can be understood to mean, "an occurence, accident" (older generations used to refer to "happy accidents," which suggests a redudancy for the sake of emphasis). The root word ("hap") is not a word we use often in itself, but we do use it as in "happen" and "haphazard".
So what is meant when we consider "happy" or "happiness?" The range of meaning may include the following: good(ness); flourishing; well-being; pleasure; freedom from suffering and/or craving (Buddhist); practice of virtue (Aristotle); filicity in divine essence (Aquinas?); positive emotions and activities (philosophy); sense and expression of humor; aesthetic appreciation; a balanced neurobiological system (biology); a balance of inner energy; minimal hypertension; high morale; a warm blanket (psychology).
While these may be notable suggestions, most all presuppose the absence of pain; in other words, these suggestions presume there is no bad; there is growth with no growing pain; only health; "warm fuzzies"; no struggle, etc. I suggest these offerings are cheap, shallow as they are euphoric, etherial, fantastic. The attitude has become that happiness is something owed, we deserve it as a right.
I contend we get a better understanding of what "happiness" is when we consider the Hebrew word "asher" as it carries a range of meaning that includes, "to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress, advance, to set right, righten." This suggests the picture of one who is hiking, trudging, sweating, moving, pushing, heaving. Imagine a hiker on his way to the top, where once arrived he can catch his breath while soaking in the view, the exhilliarating reward of having worked and arrived. One can only smile, hands on hips, blood pumping, chest thumping. The first set of suggested meanings imply one is already at the peak. This fellow only arrived by helicopter or perhaps on the back of some other laborer. Crucial elements of the journey are missing--can one really appreciate the view having not worked for it? What did they hear, taste, see, smell on the journey? The one who rides (as it were) does not have the same experience as one who has persevered his way there.
Consider further: "to set right, righten" implies correction. A leaning post is now made to stand upright. Cut roses rejuvinate with ice water. Wilted flowers are revived with fertilizer. This is the essence of "happiness," and a level of work is involved--it does not come by default. Happiness is not inward focused, but outward; that is, happiness does not come from selfish motivation for selfish means, but in the context of relationships. One who is happy does not react to the world around it, but tries to change it:
The people were happy because the LORD was happy (2 Chron 7, note v. 10);
The one who receives discipline and is corrected is happy (Job 5:17);
The fruit of the hands (hard work) makes one happy (Psalm 128:2);
The one who finds wisdom and gains understanding lays hold of happiness (Proverbs 3:18);
Happy ones give (Prov. 4:21);
Happy live under constraint, demonstrating love for others (Prov. 29:18);
The happy life is characterized by righteousness (Ecclesiastes 3);
The unhappy life is characterized by unrighteousness (Ecclesiastes 4);
Happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but wisdom considers the work of God (Ecclesiastes 7);
The herald of good news makes one happy (no matter what others think) (Jeremiah 20:15);
Inordinate happiness withers quickly (Jonah 4:5-11);
What is acceptable to God should bring one happiness (Romans 14:16-23).
A thought in closing:
Once it was recorded that Beverly Hills, California was the ideal place to live. Cool ocean breezes keep the temperatures down in summer and winters are mild. Today one will find in this paradise of wealth and fame the "gods" of Americans, American's Idols. But Beverly Hills averages at least one psychiatrist for every resident. Does this suggest these people are "happy" or mentally ill? Also, there are nearly as many divorce and business lawyers. Does this suggest these people are happy as gods, or are only people with more problems than the rest?
Why are we so eager to rebuild Beverly Hills in our own towns, or at least in our own Extremely-madeover back yards?
