What Are We Aiming for? How about Happiness?
The Declaration of Independence in the United States of America outlines the ideals and goals of a people aspiring to a better life.
Humans want to aspire to a better life.
The founding fathers seemed to be on the right track as among the ideals and goals outlined in that Declaration is the ‘pursuit of happiness.’
Happiness — ‘that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can’t help but smile,’ is a worthwhile pursuit.
That feeling that — life is good — is what we can all be united in hoping for — -even for those who may not share our other beliefs. It seems simple enough to agree that we want for ourselves and others to be happy.
But happiness — which is about feelings — — seems a little too ‘squishy,’ to make into something to measure against — doesn’t it?
That doesn’t need to get in the way.
Let’s rather imagine what can be.
Our opportunity is to ensure that this ideal of happiness stays squarely in our line of sight as something to reach for — and something to be accounted for — on the national stage.
Happiness can be a core value that guides us and we can find a way to act on factors that affect its performance.
