The Irony of Happiness
In life things are generally obtained most effectively through devoted and constant striving for that thing. The most efficient way to obtain a car is to fully dedicate oneself to that goal, ignoring all other things in one's life. I do not say that this is the best way to obtain a car. One would work tirelessly, ignoring friends, family, health, hygiene, and all other things, important or not, that inhibit his attainment of that car. A complete and total devotion to a goal, with total disregard to all other aspects of life, is not something that most people would condone. What about setting aside a career, a car, a house, etc, to focus almost extensively on law school? These sacrifices, most would agree, are understandable and acceptable. Some would even encourage cutting off relationships with significant others in pursuit of this goal. For, in what some would certainly call a selfish pursuit, one must be focused almost solely on themselves and their studies in order to succeed in such a circumstance. Could not the pursuit of a car, or a job, or any other worldly thing also be labeled selfish? Then what about happiness?
What is meant by happiness, one might ask? I will divide happiness into worldly happiness and true happiness. Worldly happiness is the happiness that one achieves when they have "got everything." Those who seek after this kind of happiness have been persuaded that joy comes from the accumulation of things and stuff. They believe that their wealth is positively correlated with their joy, and that further joy will come from the nifty toys and gadgets that can be bought with this wealth. I find it interesting that people seem to be more interested in the salary of a career than any other aspect of it. It seems that many believe that the amassing of worldly wealth is the ultimate goal of human life, and that it will bring true happiness. I would support the argument that financial security is important to happiness, but I do not for a moment uphold the idea that this life's purpose is to "get rich." One may seek after worldly happiness the same as they would seek after a car or a career, and will obtain it. But the same is not true of true happiness.
True joy is not found in money. The great purpose of our lives is not to gain money. At the end of our lives, when we pass on to the next, how much of that capital will pass on with us? Not a cent. Will our monetary worth further us at all in the next life? Not an inch. Jesus Christ has told us the source of true happiness. True happiness will not come from a selfish, dedicated quest to fulfill our wants and desires. The irony is that, if we selfishly seek our own happiness, we will never find it. Jesus Christ said this: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:25). We will find true happiness only as we forget about ourselves and, in a Christlike way, serve and care for others, with concern for their mortal and eternal welfare. The joy gained from such a pursuit infinitely surpasses the worldly happiness that comes from a selfish fulfillment of our own wants and desires. To have Eternal Life is worth more than all of the riches and glory and praise of the world (Doctrine and Covenants 6:7). The joy experienced there will be endless and insurpassable. To gain such happiness is the purpose of this life. Worldly treasures will rot and decay, but Celestial glory will never fade. Jesus Christ has provided the way for our salvation. May we walk the path that He has lovingly trod for us.
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