Articles and books are appearing in greater numbers on the subject of happiness, of contentment, of better inner feelings for the general population in America. This is stimulated, in part by the woes of these first years of the twenty-first century. The declension relates to various causes or sources in the: economic decline; rancorous partisanship; greed or private interests of some movers and shakers; unwillingness or inability of persons to solve problems, as demonstrated in permitted declines in public education; change in family tradition; climate shift and shortages/costs of resources including water and fuels; and, persistent tensions of terrorism, most commonly perceived in variant upheavals, especially related to continuing warfare abroad. The problems are somewhat exacerbated by the news reporting unsure about faithful evaluation of movements in a global context. Citizens tend to feel powerless and put upon by forces beyond their full understanding and influence. At the same time the public is occupied with some follies related to celebrities, to electronic gadgetry, to various distractions from legitimate entertainments even to drugs. Little is said, in popular communications, about the massive numbers of persons working hard, caring for families and human needs, and wondering if there are not better ways to address the issues related to the pursuit of happiness. (At this writing news reports are improving a bit.) The issue relates to proper pursuit, in assumptions that happiness can be found. Happiness is formed in us, not found, or pursued.
Reading the materials of those who investigate the matter of finding happiness, readers tend to agree with the analysis, and some steps that lead persons out of negative moods from their early years. In my view, even if these steps were taken, we would find reason to feel the contradictions, even the hypocrisies, of our lives that defeat us. There will always be something missing until, or unless, persons discover there is more than finding a successful context in nature. It is interesting that most persons respond to studies that they feel better than the reports suggest, better than the multiple demonstrations suggest. (We have just been visited, around the world with public demonstrations of unhappy citizens in nations, even on the streets around the offices of economic markets – including sign carriers crowding Wall Street.)
During my retirement, and just after the death of my wife, I was asked to participate as an officer in a business. I accepted, and moved along into another experience in my long life. Things began to turn in the wrong direction on the national scene. In short, the construction business died (for a while) in what is now known as the housing bubble. I had invested my retirement in my friend, and more by my signature, in the business. It was all gone in the utter collapse of the housing market. At this writing I am trying to meet the obligations that my signature assured. I am well along, and will be clear in several more years. I will be 95 or so years of age. I have faith that touches all meaningful experiences and more than this life only. Whatever happens offers an opportunity for renewed work, larger prayer experience, and better orientation to offer courage to others. The list of benefits lengthens. I miss my wife. I miss the vigor of my younger years. I miss the students, and the classrooms. I miss being a part of a going institution in contribution to the lives of others. I miss the paycheck by which I could have larger life patterns, and give in appropriate directions. However, I have also gained a benediction life related to spiritual devotion, to family orientation, a worthwhile career, and to the graces of life given of God in closure to nature.
I am content. I have faith that reaches far beyond the past and present. If I am wrong I have lost nothing, but gained much while it lasted. I have a modest place where I take care of myself – with assistance. I have most of my children nearby. Four generations are represented. Each has a member with the same name as mine, taken from my father. I am engaged with a great grandson, namesake, who entered one of the Christian colleges – of which I have been engaged all my adult life. There are friends who call, and greet me elsewhere. This litany might proceed, but you get the point. I feel, with Abraham, a general satisfaction and fullness of spirit. Faith in Christian prayer comforts. In all of this, I am not lonely. They say I am an emeritus. I am content, made so by the Lord, Christ. That is AOK. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020